The Independent Police Complaints Commission is appealing for witnesses to the detention of Antony Hughes by officers of Merseyside Police, prior to his death on Tuesday 28th February.
Merseyside Police received several emergency calls from the public shortly after 7.30pm that evening reporting a man behaving erratically and running among the traffic in the area of East Prescot Road, Dovecot.
Officers responded and Mr Hughes was detained and placed in an ambulance. His condition deteriorated and he was pronounced dead at Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
A post mortem has been conducted and the results of toxicology tests are awaited.
The matter was referred to the IPCC by Merseyside Police and investigators were deployed. The IPCC decided to conduct an independent investigation.
IPCC Commissioner Ms Naseem Malik said: "My sympathies go out to Mr Hughes's family and friends. As police detained Mr Hughes it is right that there is independent scrutiny of this aspect of the incident.
"We know that members of the public witnessed Mr Hughes' interaction with the police and a number of witnesses have already made themselves known to Merseyside Police. However not all witnesses present have been identified.
"I would urge anybody who witnessed Mr Hughes being detained by police and has not yet come forward to contact us on 0800 096 9078 or at dovecotincident@ipcc.gsi.gov.uk and leave their details."
Investigators are particularly keen to speak to a group of young men and a woman who was with her dog, both of whom were at the incident location and may have witnessed events.
IMPORTANT NOTE TO EDITORS
Mr Hughes' family have advised that they do not want the media to contact them and wish to be left to grieve in peace
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