Man dead after falling over bridge into river

An independent investigation into police conduct is under way following the death of a man who ended up in the Thames at Chelsea Bridge.

Police were called at around 9am on Saturday with reports of a disturbance in Chelsea Bridge Road. It was reported that a man was armed with a screwdriver and shouting.

Officers attended a short time later, and they challenged a man on Chelsea Bridge. A Taser was discharged but this did not enable the officers to detain him. The man, who is believed to be aged in his early 40s, “subsequently entered the river,” the Met said.

A video circulating on social media appears to show two police officers using a taser on a man, who subsequently jumps off the side of Chelsea Bridge.

The Met said a rescue operation was immediately organised. The man was rescued from the water by the RNLI and taken to hospital, where he died that evening.

The man’s family have been informed and the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC)have launched an enquiry. Commander Alexis Boon, Frontline Policing, said: “My thoughts are with the family of the man at this very difficult time. I offer my sincere condolences to them for their tragic loss.

“Officers go to work every day to keep the public safe, and so any incident in which a person comes to harm following contact with police is understandably concerning.

“Our officers face some of the most challenging and difficult situations daily, in doing so they are fully aware that their actions should rightly be subject to public scrutiny.

“The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards made an immediate referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct following this sad incident, and we will co-operate fully with them as they work to understand the full circumstances.”