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Man dies after being shot with Taser by police in Telford Dalian Atkinson dead: Former Aston Villa footballer dies after being shot by police Taser
(35 minutes later)
A man has died after he was Tasered by police. The man who died after being Tasered by police in Telford, Shropshire, has been named as former Aston Villa footballer Dalian Atkinson.
The 48-year-old man died after he was shot early on Monday by officers responding to an alert in Telford, Shropshire. Mr Atkinson died early on Monday morning after officers responded to an alert "for the safety of an individual" at a home in Meadow Close around 1.30am.
Officers were called to a home in Telford at around 1.30am on Monday amid concerns "for the safety of an individual", and a Taser was used. The 48-year-old was given medical treatment but died around 90 minutes later, West Mercia Police said.
The man was given medical treatment but died around 90 minutes later, West Mercia Police said.
"West Mercia Police can confirm that officers responded to a report for the concern for the safety of an individual at approximately 1.30am this morning at an address in Telford," the force said in a statement."West Mercia Police can confirm that officers responded to a report for the concern for the safety of an individual at approximately 1.30am this morning at an address in Telford," the force said in a statement.
"Upon arrival Taser was deployed and a 48-year-old man, who subsequently received medical attention, was pronounced dead at approximately 3am."Upon arrival Taser was deployed and a 48-year-old man, who subsequently received medical attention, was pronounced dead at approximately 3am.
"West Mercia Police are unable to comment any further as the incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) as is normal procedure, and will assist the IPCC with their inquiries.""West Mercia Police are unable to comment any further as the incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) as is normal procedure, and will assist the IPCC with their inquiries."
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We were called by West Mercia Police to an address in Meadow Close in the Trench area of Telford at about 1.45am this morning.A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We were called by West Mercia Police to an address in Meadow Close in the Trench area of Telford at about 1.45am this morning.
"An ambulance was dispatched and upon arrival found a man who had been Tasered."An ambulance was dispatched and upon arrival found a man who had been Tasered.
"As he was being conveyed to Princess Royal Hospital, his condition deteriorated and he went into cardiac arrest."As he was being conveyed to Princess Royal Hospital, his condition deteriorated and he went into cardiac arrest.
"Despite the efforts of the crew and hospital staff, it was not possible to save him and he was confirmed dead at hospital, shortly after arrival.""Despite the efforts of the crew and hospital staff, it was not possible to save him and he was confirmed dead at hospital, shortly after arrival."
This follows the death of ex-soldier Spencer Beynon in June, after he was Tasered by police in Llanelli, South Wales, after stabbing a dog and then himself. Mr Atkinson was a top flight striker in the 1990s, with a goal for league runners-up Aston Villa against Wimbledon, which followed a mazy run from inside his own half, being voted 1992-1993 goal of the season.
He went on to score at Wembley in 1994 as Villa beat Manchester United to lift the League Cup.
Starting his career at Ipswich he played for Sheffield Wednesday and Spanish side Real Sociedad before moving to Villa.
He scored more than 20 Premier League goals for the Birmingham side between 1991 and 1995 before going on to play less successfully for teams including Turkish side Fenerbahce and Manchester City.
He ended his playing career playing in South Korea in 2001.
His death follows the death of ex-soldier Spencer Beynon in June, after he was Tasered by police in Llanelli, South Wales, after stabbing a dog and then himself.
Friends said he had suffered mental health problems after leaving the military.Friends said he had suffered mental health problems after leaving the military.
Last year, police use of Tasers, which are intended as a non-lethal weapon, went up slightly towards the end of 2015 with 10,329 uses by forces in England and Wales, a two per cent rise on the previous year.Last year, police use of Tasers, which are intended as a non-lethal weapon, went up slightly towards the end of 2015 with 10,329 uses by forces in England and Wales, a two per cent rise on the previous year.
However, of those, 19 per cent (1,921) were discharges; a decrease of three per cent from the previous year.However, of those, 19 per cent (1,921) were discharges; a decrease of three per cent from the previous year.
Between January 2014 and November 2015, police forces in England and Wales used Tasers on minors at least 407 times, including 57 times against children aged 14 or younger. Between January 2014 and November 2015, police forces in England and Wales used Tasers on minors at least 407 times, including 57 times against children aged 14 or younger.
Additional reporting by PAAdditional reporting by PA