Axminster manslaughter arrest over death of man who ran from police

Police are appealing for witnesses in the area around the time of the incident

A man has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter over the death of a man who ran from police.

Avon and Somerset Police said officer tried to speak to a man in Axminster in Devon about a burglary on their patch.

He ran off and was later found unconscious in the Lyme Road area. He was taken to hospital where he died.

A man in his 30s, from the Axminster area, is in custody, police said. Avon and Somerset Police has referred itself to the police watchdog.

The force said that on Tuesday it had sent officers to Axminster - which is covered by Devon and Cornwall Police - "to arrest a man wanted on suspicion of burglary".

"At about 10:30 BST they located a vehicle linked to the man parked at a service station on Lyme Road in Axminster," Avon and Somerset Police said.

"Officers attempted to engage with the occupant," they said. "A man inside the vehicle then ran off and was lost to sight."

Devon and Cornwall Police said it was called to assist colleagues in Avon and Somerset Police.

"It was reported to us that the occupants of a car had left the scene in Lyme Road," Devon and Cornwall Police said.

A short time later, the force received a call from a member of the public regarding "a further incident nearby", it said.

"When officers arrived at the scene, the man was unconscious and they immediately administered emergency treatment," it said.

He was taken to hospital in a critical condition where he later died. His next of kin have been informed, Devon and Cornwall Police said.

A man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm, it said.

Following the victim's death, the man was further arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, it added.

The road was closed for several hours and some cordons are still in place, according to Devon and Cornwall Police.

Avon and Somerset Police said it had informed the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and a mandatory referral would be made.