Ferry death sparks investigation

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/north_west/6447129.stm

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An investigation has been launched after a man died on a ferry at Holyhead shortly after being in police custody.

An Irish Ferries spokesman said the man collapsed while the ship was docked.

Crew members tried to revive the elderly man who had boarded the scheduled 1410 crossing on Monday.

North Wales Police confirmed he had been in their custody, and the force has routinely referred the matter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

An IPCC spokesman said: "I can confirm that the IPCC has had a referral from North Wales Police after a man was found dead shortly after he had been in police custody.

"The IPCC will now look at that referral before deciding what to do next."

The Irish Ferries spokesperson added: "An elderly gentleman collapsed on board the 1410 sailing on Monday.

"The crew administered CPR and an ambulance was called because the ship was still in dock. The man was taken to hospital.

"There was some police involvement, but we have no details on that."

A North Wales Police spokeswoman confirmed that the case had been referred to the IPCC.

"It is a recognised and agreed procedure that when someone has been very recently in police custody that the IPCC are requested to review the circumstances of the death," she added.