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| Former footballer Dalian Atkinson dies after police shoot him with Taser | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The former Aston Villa footballer Dalian Atkinson has died after being Tasered by police near his home in Telford. | The former Aston Villa footballer Dalian Atkinson has died after being Tasered by police near his home in Telford. |
| West Mercia police said a 48-year-old man had died after being shot with a Taser by police officers. It is understood the man is Atkinson, who also played for Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich Town. | |
| West Mercia police confirmed that officers fired a Taser at about 1.30am on Monday after responding to reports of concerns for the safety of an individual. The man failed to respond to medical attention and was pronounced dead 90 minutes later. | |
| The incident was automatically referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) as it involved a death caused by police officers. West Mercia is assisting the IPCC with its investigation. The force said it was unable to comment further. | |
| The IPCC confirmed it had been notified of the incident and would issue a statement shortly. | The IPCC confirmed it had been notified of the incident and would issue a statement shortly. |
| Forensic officers were at the scene on Monday as Meadow Close remained cordoned off. Neighbours expressed their shock, with one posting on Facebook that there was “a lot of shouting and police”. | |
| Tasers deliver an incapacitating 50,000-volt shock, and critics say the weapon is too often lethal. It has been linked to at least 10 deaths in England and Wales over the last decade. In 2013, factory worker Jordan Lee Begley, 23, died two hours after a Greater Manchester officer targeted him with a stun gun at his home after police were called to reports of an argument. | |
| 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. | 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. |
| “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.” | “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.” |
| Atkinson is best remembered for his goal of the season against against Wimbledon in 1992 as part of a Villa team that went on to secure runner-up spot in the first Premiership season. | Atkinson is best remembered for his goal of the season against against Wimbledon in 1992 as part of a Villa team that went on to secure runner-up spot in the first Premiership season. |
| He went on to score at Wembley in 1994 as Villa beat Manchester United to lift the League Cup. | 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 was the first black player for Real Sociedad, scoring 12 goals in La Liga. | |
| At Villa he scored more than 20 Premier League goals between 1991 and 1995 before going on to play less successfully for teams including Turkish side Fenerbahçe and Manchester City. | At Villa he scored more than 20 Premier League goals between 1991 and 1995 before going on to play less successfully for teams including Turkish side Fenerbahçe and Manchester City. |
| He ended his playing career playing in South Korea in 2001. He was never capped for England but was selected for the England B team. | He ended his playing career playing in South Korea in 2001. He was never capped for England but was selected for the England B team. |
| Former teammates and fellow professionals expressed their shock and sorrow. Former Villa goalkeeper and and Australian international Mark Bosnich tweeted: “RIP Dalian Atkinson, at his best one of the best.” | |
| RIP Dalian Atkinson,at his best one of the very best.xmb | |
| Tony Daley, who played for Aston Villa at the same time as Atkinson, tweeted “Devastating news ... RIP Dalian”, with an image of a broken heart. | |
| Former Blackburn and Celtic striker Chris Sutton tweeted his condolences to Atkinson’s family. | |
| Terrible news about Dalian Atkinson. Thoughts for his family x | |
| Ipswich Town paid tribute, tweeting: “Terribly sad news about our former striker. Our thoughts are with Dalian’s family and friends at this tragic time.” | Ipswich Town paid tribute, tweeting: “Terribly sad news about our former striker. Our thoughts are with Dalian’s family and friends at this tragic time.” |
| Sheffield Wednesday tweeted: “The thoughts of everyone at Wednesday are with the friends and family of Dalian Atkinson this morning. RIP.” | Sheffield Wednesday tweeted: “The thoughts of everyone at Wednesday are with the friends and family of Dalian Atkinson this morning. RIP.” |