Ombudsman investigates death in Lurgan police station

Christopher Blaxall died at Lurgan police station shortly before midday on 14 November

The Police Ombudsman is investigating the death of a 76-year-old man who died at a police station in Lurgan last month.

Christopher Blaxall died at Lurgan police station shortly before midday on 14 November.

He had reported feeling unwell and collapsed while being taken from the station's custody suite for treatment.

The police watchdog have appealed for witnesses who may have seen him in the hours leading up to his death.

He is understood to have been in a number of areas around Bush village, outside Dungannon, before being arrested on suspicion of breaching a court order.

A spokesman for the Police Ombudsman's Office said: "As is normal procedure following a death in custody, police informed our investigators who then commenced an independent investigation to examine the course of events leading up to the death."

"We are therefore appealing for witnesses who may have seen an elderly man with a walking stick, wearing blue jeans, a dark jacket and a dark-coloured backpack... between 07:30 GMT and 08.35 on 14 November 2023," the statement continued.

"We would also be interested in speaking to anyone who saw a police car pulling over to the side of the road in the Peatlands area of Dungannon shortly before 09:00."