Police officers attempting to stop a man who died after colliding with a van restrained him on the ground before realising he needed medical attention, the police watchdog has said. Lain Estridge, 23, died following an incident on Back Falkner Street in Liverpool’s Georgian Quarter at around 3.15pm on Friday, February 13.
Merseyside Police told the ECHO that after coming off his electrically assisted pedal cycle Mr Estridge “collided with a police van, which was stationary at the time”. The force did not provide further information about the “proactive police operation” that resulted in the attempt to stop Mr Estridge or about the nature of the attempted stop itself.
The force referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) following the incident. The ECHO asked the IOPC a number of questions yesterday, and can now confirm some of the circumstances surrounding the lead-up to the incident, the crash itself and the initial police response.
The IOPC told the ECHO that Mr Estridge, who died on Friday afternoon, was one of two men approached by police in the area. The police watchdog said officers were positioned at either end of Back Falkner Street South when they approached two men.
Officers spoke to one, while others followed Mr Estridge, who travelled away from them on an e-bike. Three officers on foot, and a police van, were positioned at the junction of Back Falkner Street South and Grove Street.
As Mr Estridge approached, at around 3.10pm, the van moved forward and was positioned partly across the junction, while the three officers approached the e-bike. An IOPC spokesperson said Mr Estridge came off the e-bike and continued forward, colliding with the van, which was not moving at the time of impact.
Tributes have been left in memory of Lain Estridge(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
The watchdog told the ECHO: “Officers initially restrained Mr Estridge on the ground before identifying he was in need of medical attention and providing first aid. Paramedics attended the scene and found a package in Mr Estridge’s mouth, which was removed.”
The IOPC added: “A post mortem examination took place on Saturday and we await the results. At this stage, no cause of death has been identified, with further testing due to take place.
“Our investigation will look at the decision-making and actions of officers involved throughout the incident, including the efforts to stop Mr Estridge, his restraint and subsequent medical care provided.”
IOPC director Amanda Rowe said: “Our thoughts are with Mr Estridge’s family and loved ones, as well as all those affected by his death. We have been in contact with the family and will keep them updated as our investigation progresses.
“It is important in cases like this that there is a thorough investigation to understand events surrounding the death, including the actions of police. This will be carried out independently of police and our findings will be shared with Mr Estridge’s family, Merseyside Police and the coroner in due course.
“While our investigation is at an early stage, we have gathered and begun reviewing various pieces of footage covering the entire incident as we work to establish exactly what has happened. We would ask that people respect the family’s privacy at this unimaginably difficult time and refrain from any speculation.”
Floral tributes on Grove Street, Toxteth(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
The ECHO understands other questions surrounding the arrival of paramedics at the scene will be addressed during the course of the IOPC investigation.
Kim Johnson, MP for Riverside, which includes the Toxteth area, told the ECHO that “is only the first step” and demanded the “full truth”.
She told the ECHO on Monday: “The community’s mistrust of the police is real, justified and cannot be brushed aside. For far too long, black people have died following police incidents and accountability has been almost non-existent.
“As Liverpool’s first black MP and chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) on miscarriages of justice, I witness every day how our criminal justice system over-polices and under-protects black communities. Merseyside Police may have referred themselves to the IOPC but that is only the first step.
“The public deserves to know the full truth – what happened, why it happened and who is accountable for the death of this young black man. Anything less than complete transparency will only deepen our community’s pain and anger. My thoughts are with Lain’s family and friends as they face this devastating loss.”
Merseyside Police previously said it was “co-operating fully” with the police watchdog probe. They added: “Our thoughts and condolences are with his family.” The force added: “We would continue to urge people not to speculate and avoid sharing rumours or misinformation.”
Mr Estridge was named locally on Sunday by people in the Liverpool 8 area. Dozens of tributes were left in his memory on Grove Street. Bouquets of flowers, candles and bottles of Captain Morgan spiced rum and Magnum tonic wine were left by friends and family.
Floral tributes on Grove Street, Toxteth(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
An accompanying note on one bouquet of flowers read: “Love you Lizzy. Ball in paradise.” Another tribute added: “Stick to the target. Our last words n’ that’s what ima do forever. Love u brother.” A number of pictures of Mr Estridge posing with loved ones were also left attached to the railing by the tributes.
Emily Spurrell, Merseyside’s police and crime commissioner, told the ECHO: “First and foremost, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Lain Estridge. This is a tragic incident, and my thoughts are with all those affected by his death.
“I have been briefed on the circumstances surrounding the incident on Back Falkner Street on Friday afternoon. Following the incident, Merseyside Police referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct which is the correct process when someone dies during or following contact with the police.
“The IOPC has confirmed it will carry out an independent investigation and I am assured Merseyside Police is fully cooperating with this process. The IOPC will be releasing information as quickly as the investigation allows.
“In the meantime, I would urge people not to speculate about the circumstances or share information online. The investigation must be allowed to take its course so we can get a full picture of what took place.”
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