Watchdog informed of prisoner hospital death

Lancashire Police said it was called to support prison officers guarding the man who was ill and agitated

Police are investigating the death of a prisoner who had been taken to hospital by prison officers.

The inmate, aged 35, had become unwell and agitated at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary on Saturday and officers were called to assist prison officers guarding him, Lancashire Police said.

The force said officers supported prison staff in restraining the man. The man's condition worsened and he stopped breathing and was given CPR, but was pronounced dead a short time later, the force added.

Lancashire Police has referred the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

The man's next of kin have been informed.

Lancashire Police said it would retain responsibility for investigating the wider circumstances leading to the man's death and would "fully cooperate" with the IOPC's independent investigation into the role of the police during the incident.

The force added: "We would ask that people do not speculate on the circumstances surrounding this incident until the investigation has been completed."

The Ministry of Justice said: "As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will investigate."