Police cleared over death of man at station

John Patrick Freeman, 67, of Barnsley, died in hospital 10 days after the incident on May 12, 2011. He had been escorted off a train by the officers after the conductor reported him as drunk. The officers helped Mr Freeman to a bench but he refused medical assistance. The officers left him but he was monitored on CCTV.

A short time later he left to buy a ticket from a self-service machine where he fell and banged his head. Police returned and Mr Freeman was taken to Leeds General Infirmary but died a week-and-a-half later.

Toxicology tests carried out after his death showed Mr Freeman was likely to be more than four times over the UK legal limit for drivers. An inquest ended at Wakefield Coroner’s Court last Wednesday where a narrative verdict was recorded.

Sarah Green, the Independent Police Complaints Commissioner, said: “We found that the officers had limited options available to them, and took what steps they could to ensure Mr Freeman’s welfare.”