Shocking footage shows police suspect die at the scene of his arrest

THIS shocking video shows the moment a group of police officers restrained a suspected drug user who later died at the scene.

Police watchdogs have now launched an investigation after the two-minute- long video emerged, which appears to show the male suspect being pinned to the ground with his head pushed to the pavement.

Eyewitnesses claimed “four or five” plain-clothes cops jumped out of an unmarked van and chased the man, who has been named locally as Carl Brunner.

Bedford Police confirmed a man had died at the scene and that the incident had been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPPC).

The footage shows the man as he is tackled to the ground while "one officer had his hands around his throat", an onlooker said.

The officers can apparently be heard shouting, “spit it out, spit it out" as they appear to hold him down with their knees on his back and hands on his head.

He does not appear to fight back but two male officers restrain him with force before a third adds his weight to the struggle.

Seconds later the man, who is thought to be in his 50s, appears to slip out of consciousness and his head slumps to the side.

Eyewitnesses claim blood then poured from his mouth and officers noticed something was wrong.

The footage then shows officers putting him in the recovery position and frantically performing CPR.

Paramedics rushed to Midland Road, Bedford, at around 12.30pm but the man was pronounced dead at the scene on Wednesday. 

A 47-year-old local, who asked not to be named, said: "I was just walking to the shop and then I saw four or five men.

"These burly guys all went up to this old man, in his fifties or so. 

"They didn't really run but they grabbed the guy, who couldn't run anyway.

"They brought him to the ground. I think he put something in his mouth and they were trying to get him to spit it out.

"They had their knees on his back and were holding him down.

"They were pushing him down. They had his head on the pavement.

"They were saying, 'Spit it out, spit it out.'

"Then he went unconscious and blood started coming out of his mouth.

"He was out — completely out. They were searching his pockets while he was out. Then they backed off.

"They asked me to turn my video off but I didn't. There were lots of other people around and there is a camera straight opposite, a CCTV camera.

"I think he was being chased for something to do with drugs. That's why they had him on the floor.

"But there is no way that if he swallowed drugs then all that blood would have gushed out of his mouth afterwards.

"It was crazy. They were worried about themselves."

Another witness added: "The police tackled him to the ground and he seemed to smash his head off the floor.

"Then they tried to perform CPR."

Friends of the deceased, believed to be a Canadian man who is nicknamed Yankee, said Bedfordshire Police have a "lot of questions to answer".

Writing on Facebook, one said: "Rip Yankee Carl brunna died by police tackle bash to the head u were good guy Yankee and will be missed. (sic)

"So sad. Bedford police got lot questions to answer."

Another said: "Bully Boy Police Tactics. Bedfordshire Police should be ashamed."

Paying tribute to his friend, Clive Leybourne added: "He used to sit in the same spot quietly having a drink watching the world go by.

"He was softly spoken and always glad to have a chat and a bite to eat with me. I shall miss him."

A Bedfordshire Police spokesperson said: "Officers gave first aid at the scene and the ambulance service also attended, however the man has sadly died.

"The IPCC will be informed of the incident, as is procedure when a person dies who has been in recent contact with the police.

"No further details will be released at this time."

Witnesses are asked to contact investigators on 0800 0969070.