IPCC investigates death of man restrained by police outside Devon pub

The police watchdog has launched an investigation into the death of a man who fell unconscious while he was being restrained by police outside a Devon bar
Police officers gave the 38-year-old man emergency resuscitation at the scene and he was taken to Torbay district hospital but he died on Saturday night.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating the incident, which took place outside Murphy’s Roadhouse in Paignton, Devon.
Devon and Cornwall police said the man, who has not yet been named, was restrained after police were called to an incident at 9pm on Wednesday 29 April.
One witness, a painter and decorator, who declined to be named, said he saw the man being treated at the scene. He added: “The man looked dead to me. Ambulance crews were working on him for 20 minutes to resuscitate him. He was just lying there on the floor. It was very upsetting for my children.”
In a statement, the force said: “Police were called to a disturbance outside of the bar on the Esplanade in Paignton involving an altercation between two men and door staff.
During the incident, the 38-year-old man, while being restrained, became unconscious and following CPR by officers at the scene, was conveyed by ambulance to Torbay district hospital.
“He sadly died in hospital during the evening of Saturday 2 May. Four men were arrested in connection with the incident, aged 43, 54 and two both aged 35.
“One of the 35-year-old men has been released with no further action, while the three other men – all arrested on suspicion of affray – have been given police bail pending further inquiries.
“The matter was given a mandatory referral to the IPCC and will now be subject to an independent investigation by them. This will run alongside the criminal inquiry into the incident.”
Asst Ch Con Russ Middleton said: “Our thoughts and condolences are with the family, and we are providing support at this difficult time.
The force’s major crime investigation team has already commenced an investigation into this incident and that will continue. We will also cooperate fully with the IPCC separate independent investigation into police involvement in the incident.”
The issue of restraint is a hugely sensitive one to Devon and Cornwall police following the death of a mentally ill man called Thomas Orchard, who died after being arrested in Exeter city centre.
A police sergeant and two custody officers have been charged with manslaughter over the case of 32-year-old church caretaker Orchard, who died a week after collapsing in a police cell in October 2012. They are due to face trial early next year.
The IPCC began to investigate the Paignton incident before the man died. In a statement, it said one police officer initially attended. It confirmed Devon and Cornwall police had referred the matter and IPCC investigators were immediately deployed.