Investigation launched into death of man, who also sustained self-inflicted knife injuries in incident in Falmouth

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

A man has died in Cornwall after an incident in which he was shot with a Taser electronic weapon by the police after brandishing a knife.

The man, who has not been named, also sustained self-inflicted knife injuries in the incident in Falmouth. He died in the Royal Cornwall hospital.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which examines deaths after police contact, has launched an investigation into the man’s death.

Officers were called to an address in Langton Road on Tuesday evening after concerns were raised about the man’s welfare.

A witness told the Falmouth Packet website she had seen a man self-harming in the street. “He literally walked past me and my workmate,” she said. “We phoned the police. They shouted to him three times to put the knife down, then Tasered him.”

Devon and Cornwall police said: “Police were notified around 9pm last night to reports of concerns for the welfare of an individual at an address on Langton Road in Falmouth.



“On arrival, officers were confronted with a man who was in possession of a knife. Due to the unfolding dynamic incident, police deployed a Taser.

“The man was taken to Treliske hospital [a local name for the Royal Cornwall hospital] where he was later declared as deceased. His next of kin have been informed.”

Langton Road remained closed on Wednesday.

A spokeswoman for the IPCC said: “The investigation follows a mandatory referral from Devon and Cornwall police.”