Investigators probing the death of a popular young man who died following an attempted police stop have obtained all body-worn footage from the officers. Lain Estridge, 23, died following an incident on Back Falkner Street in Liverpool’s Georgian Quarter at around 3.15pm on Friday, February 13.
Mr Estridge was said to have collided with a stationary police van after coming off his e-bike as officers attempted to carry out a stop. The ECHO revealed in the following days how the van had been pulled forward before stopping in the moments before the incident. We also revealed how officers restrained Mr Estridge before realising he needed medical attention.
A week on from Mr Estridge’s death, a huge shrine has been erected by friends, family and the local community. A banner, with the words “forever in our hearts, long live Lain”, has been tied to the metal railings at the junction where the incident happened.
In front of the banner bouquets of flowers have been left in buckets and vases, while dozens of printed photographs showing Mr Estridge posing with loved ones had been pegged alongside black t-shirts stamped with the words “long live Liz”. The ever-growing mass tribute to the much-loved man also carries cards with handwritten messages, candles and bottles of Captain Morgan spiced rum and Magnum tonic wine.
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 third remembered Mr Estridge’s “contagious smile”.
Tributes to Lain Estridge on Grove Street in Liverpool(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
Investigators from the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) have spent considerable time around Grove Street and the surrounding roads in the days following the incident. In a new statement provided to the ECHO, a spokesperson said the police watchdog said: “Our thoughts remain with the family and loved ones of Lain Estridge, as well as all those affected by his death.
“Our investigation into the circumstances surrounding Merseyside Police’s attempt to stop him, including officers’ actions once he came off the e-bike he was riding, continues.
“We have now gathered all available body-worn video footage from the incident, in addition to CCTV and police dashcam footage, which has been carefully reviewed as we piece together the events leading up to Lain’s death.
“Inquiries are ongoing at this stage. We have obtained initial statements from several officers who were at the scene and will be taking more detailed statements in the coming days.”
A post-mortem was carried out the day after Mr Estridge’s death. The ECHO understands the results have not yet been made available and no cause of death has been identified. Further testing is in the process of taking place.
Lain Estridge, 23, died following the attempted police stop(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
Liverpool’s coroner confirmed to the ECHO on Friday that Mr Estridge’s death has been referred but a spokesperson said at present they have no further information about when the case is to be opened.
The L8 community has been explicit in its calls for transparency and openness in the investigation. Kim Johnson, MP for Riverside, which includes the Toxteth area, told the ECHO this week: “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.”
Fatima Adan, from Granby Somali Women’s Group, told the ECHO: “There’s a lot of hurt and anger in the L8 community right now. People are sharing different accounts of what happened, and that in itself shows why transparency is so important.”
Tributes to Lain Estridge on Grove Street in Liverpool (Image: Liverpool ECHO)
She added: “If the police ask for support and cooperation from the community, it has to work both ways. At the end of the day, a young man has died and a family is grieving. The community needs clarity, not silence.”
The full circumstances about the events of February 13 are still being established. But the IOPC told the ECHO that Mr Estridge was one of two men approached by police officers positioned at either end of Back Falkner Street South. Officers spoke to one man, 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.
Police at the scene of the incident on Grove Street(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
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. 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.”
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.
Floral tributes on Grove Street
“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.”
The ECHO understands a particular question surrounding the arrival of paramedics at the scene and the immediate medical attention will be addressed during the course of the IOPC investigation.
Emily Spurrell, Merseyside’s police and crime commissioner, told the ECHO: “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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