Man dies following Axminster police incident

Another man has been arrested

A man has died following a police incident in the Axminster area.

Officers from Devon and Cornwall Police were called by Avon and Somerset to assist with enquiries they were carrying out in the area at around 10:30am on Tuesday 19 July.

It was reported that the occupants of a car had left the scene in Lyme Road.

Shortly later, a call was made from a member of the public informing police of further incident nearby where a male was subsequently located.

When officers arrived, the man was found unconscious and emergency treatment was given. He was then taken to hospital in a critical condition before later being pronounced dead.

The male's next-of-kin have been informed.

As a result of the incident, a man in his 30s from the Axminster area was initially arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm before he was further arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. He remains in custody.

Devon and Cornwall Police are now investigating the circumstances and due to its prior involvement with its officers, Avon and Somerset Police has informed the Independent Office for Police Conduct and a mandatory referral will be made in due course.

Anyone with information which could help with enquiries is asked to contact police by emailing 101@dc.police.uk or by calling 101 with log number 342 of 19/07/21