Police force faces collapse death inquiry

Andrew Tombs, 38, fell to the ground after he and another man were stopped by a Humberside Police officer and a police community support officer in Fountain Road, Hull. The officers tried to resuscitate him and he was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary, but he was pronounced dead about 45 minutes later.

A post mortem examination on Mr Tombs’s body was carried out the next day, but police say they cannot confirm how he died until further test results are known. The death is being investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

In a statement issued via the IPCC, Mr Tombs’s partner, who has not been named, said: “Andrew will be very sadly missed by myself, the kids and all his friends and family and we will never forget him.”

The IPCC said Mr Tombs and the other man were approached by the officer and the PCSO at about 8.20pm on May 10. The other man stopped for the officers but Mr Tombs kept walking, only to collapse shortly after an officer caught up with him.

IPCC Commissioner Nicholas Long said: “My sympathies go out to Mr Tombs’s family at this difficult time. Our investigators have met with them to explain our role.

“We will be examining all the circumstances surrounding the police stop and the assistance given to Mr Tombs following his collapse.”