Man who died after being Tasered by police named as ex-Villa striker Dalian Atkinson
A former football star who played at the highest level in six different countries has died after being Tasered by police in the hours of today.
A former football star who played at the highest level in six different countries has died after being Tasered by police in the hours of today.
Top flight striker Dalian Atkinson, scorer of the goal of the season in the inaugural Premier League campaign in 1992/93, is said to have gone into cardiac arrest and died 90 minutes after being struck by the Taser.
West Mercia Police was called to what is believed to be his family home after receiving reports that people were concerned for the safety of a person in the Trench area of Telford.
The force arrived in Meadow Close at 1.30am on Monday (August 15) and he was pronounced dead at 3am.
The incident has now been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).
In a statement the force said: “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.
“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.”
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson 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.
Mr Atkinson was a feared 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 BBC Match of Day goal of the season.
His career highlight came in 1994 at Wembley when he scored in Villas League Cup win over Manchester United.
Starting his career at Ipswich he played for Sheffield Wednesday and in La Liga for Spanish side Real Sociedad before moving to Villa where he scored 38 goals in 114 appearances.
After Villa, Mr Atkinson joined Turkish club Fenerbahce and then finished his career in England at Manchester City. He played in the French Ligue 1 for Metz, in Saudi Arabia for Al-lttihad and finally hung up his boots in 2001 in the Korean K-League after spells with Daejeon Citizen and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.