THE Police Ombudsman has launched an investigation following the death of a 76-year-old man at Lurgan Police Station.
Christopher Blaxall died shortly before midday on November 14 after reporting feeling unwell and while being transferred from the station's custody suite for medical treatment.
An appeal has been made by the Police Ombudsman's Office for witnesses who may have seen Mr Blaxall in the village of Bush, near Dungannon, on the morning of the day he died.
A spokesperson for the ombudsman's office said the deceased had been arrested in the area on suspicion of breaching a court order.
“As is normal procedure following a death in custody, police informed our investigators who then commenced an independent investigation to examine the course of events leading up to the death," the spokesperson said, adding that the deceased may have been in a number of areas around the village, including Mullaghteige Road, the Elms housing estate and the Bush Road.
“We are therefore appealing for witnesses who may have seen an elderly man with a walking stick, wearing blue jeans, a dark jacket and a dark-coloured backpack, in any of these areas between 7.30am and 8.35am on 14 November 2023," they said.
“We would also be interested in speaking to anyone who saw a police car pulling over to the side of the road in the Peatlands area of Dungannon shortly before 9am. Anyone who may be able to help, is asked to contact our freephone witness line, which is 0800 032 7880.”
