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Ian Tomlinson (c. 1970–April 1, 2009) was a British newsagent who died in central London during the 2009 G-20 London summit protests on his way home from work. An initial post mortem indicated that he had had a heart attack.
Tomlinson's death became controversial a week later when The Guardian obtained footage, taken by a member of the public, showing that Tomlinson, who was not a protester, had been pushed to the ground by police minutes before he died. A second post mortem has been ordered, and an inquiry begun, from which the police have been removed.
Background
The Evening Standard published reports stating "police were bombarded with bricks, bottles and planks of wood" as they assisted Tomlinson. The web edition was later changed but still stated "Today it emerged that police had come under a barrage of missiles as they tried to save the life of a man who collapsed during a protest near the Bank of England last night. The officers were hit by bottles thrown from the crowd and were forced to carry the man to a safe location to give him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. An ambulance crew then took the man to hospital, where he died".
Witness testimonies, subsequently confirmed by video footage, stated that reports of missiles raining down while police tried to assist are false, and that protesters provided first aid and telephoned and requested medical attention with their megaphone. Various witnesses stated that one or two plastic bottles were thrown (and missed by a distance) by some unaware of the injury, however the protesters told them to stop, one protester threatening to kill the people if they threw any more.
During the weekend of the 3rd/4th April three named witnesses told the Guardian that they had variously seen him being pushed and thrown to the floor by an officer, struck with a police baton and hitting his head against the pavement.
On April 6, the Independent Police Complaints Commission confirmed Tomlinson had been pushed back by police officers minutes before he collapsed and died of a heart attack. It was reported that after a protester had made an emergency 999 phone call he was still breathing.
On 7 April, 2009, The Guardian released video footage taken by member of the public which shows that Tomlinson was pushed to the ground as he was walking slowly away from a group of Metropolitan Police Officers wearing riot gear with his hands in his pockets as he was walking through Royal Exchange Passage. An officer first struck Tomlinson on the back of his leg and then pushed him violently to the ground from behind. Sitting, Tomlinson received help from two protesters, as the police officers stood and watched. Tomlinson appeared to speak with an officer, whilst seated and was then being helped to his feet by a member of the public and walked away along Cornhill.
See also
References
- Lewis, Paul. Ian Tomlinson death: Guardian video reveals police attack on man who died at G20 protest, The Guardian, April 7, 2009.
- Davenport, Justin (2 April 2009). "Police pelted with bricks as they help dying man" (PDF). The Evening Standard. Retrieved 3 April 2009.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - http://www.chickyog.net/2009/04/02/the-evening-standards-g20-bricks/
- Witness Statement About G20 Death (Video Testimony). London: Indymedia London.
{{cite AV media}}: Unknown parameter|date2=ignored (help) - "Police name man who died at G20 protest". The Guardian. 2 April 2009. Retrieved 3 April 2009.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ "Man who died at G20 demonstration 'had been confronted by police'". The Guardian. 2009-04-07. Retrieved 2009-04-07.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - Paul Lewis (7 April 2009). "Video reveals G20 police assault on man who died". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 April 2009.