Man engulfed by fire in police Taser incident dies of his injuries
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) are investigating whether the discharging of a Taser gun by a police officer led to the death of 32-year-old Andrew Pimlott who sustained serious burn injuries.
The IPCC has confirmed that Mr Pimlott died in Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, on 23 April following the incident in a rear garden in Honicknowle in Plymouth.
The IPCC who had already been looking into the incident, have announced they are now investigating the circumstances leading to Mr Pimlott's death.
The IPCC understand that two police officers had attended the address in response to a call reporting that a man (Mr Pimlott) was in the rear garden of the property with a can of flammable liquid. Shortly after the police arrived, the man received serious burn injuries and an ambulance was called. An officer discharged a Taser during the incident.
Witnesses report seeing the man engulfed by flames and an officer attempting to extinguish the fire by hauling the man to the ground and smothering the flames with a blanket.
Mr Pimlott was taken to Derriford Hospital and later transferred to the Burns Unit at Bristol's Frenchay Hospital.
IPCC Commissioner Sarah Green said: “My condolences go to Andrew’s family and friends for their loss. This must be a very difficult time for them and we have appointed a family liaison manager who is ensuring the family are kept informed.
“Our investigators have already carried out a number of actions, including interviewing the two police officers who attended the incident and ensuring relevant evidence has been secured.
“A post-mortem was carried out yesterday and further forensic analysis will be carried out. The IPCC had informed the coroner of our investigation and we will share our report in due course.
“Our investigation will be looking at what information was known to the officers attending the scene; the officer’s rationale for discharging a Taser on a person known to be doused in flammable liquid; whether the discharge of the Taser caused the fuel to ignite; and we will look at training and policies.”
