The shocking moment a suspected drug user died after being restrained by three burly police officers has been caught on video.
The two-minute-long video footage shows the male suspect being pinned to the ground, his head pushed to the pavement until he stops breathing.
It was captured by a passer-by on his mobile phone in Bedford town centre on Wednesday lunchtime.
Bedford Police confirmed a man had died at the scene and that the incident had been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPPC).
Yesterday eyewitnesses said ‘four or five’ plain-clothes cops jumped out of an unmarked van and chased the man, who has been named locally as Carl Brunner.
They then tackled him to the ground while “one officer had his hands around his throat”, an onlooker said.
In the video, filmed by a bystander, they can then be heard shouting, “Spit it out, spit it out” as they hold him down with their knees on his back and hands on his head.
He does not appear to fight back but two stocky 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 fifties, appears to slip out of consciousness and his head slumps to the side.
Blood then poured from his mouth, an eyewitness said, and officers noticed something was wrong.
But while the police appeared concerned shocked onlookers said they searched the man’s pockets – despite him having blacked out.
The footage then shows officers putting him in the recovery position and frantically performing CPR.
Paramedics also attended the scene but the man died, Bedfordshire Police said.
An acquaintance of the man witnessed the drama unfold on Midland Road, Bedford at around 12.30pm on Wednesday.
The 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 to the incident said: “The police tackled him to the ground and he seemed to smash his head off the floor.
“Then they tried to perform CPR.”
Police have since confirmed the man died at the scene.
The police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), has been informed and an investigation launched.
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, Arron Davies said: “Rip Yankee Carl brunna died by police tackle bash to the head u were good guy Yankee and will be missed.
“So sad. Bedford police got lot questions to answer.”
When asked what happened, he added: “Some guy midland rd guy got a brother who stabbed somone in chest in the summer over a zoot or summink like that.
“He always on midland but he was calm good guy humble.”
Another commenter, Matt Elderkin, said: “Bully Boy Police Tactics. Bedfordshire Police should be ashamed.”
Paying tribute to his friend, Clive Leybourne said: “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.”
The IPCC launched an independent investigation on Wednesday afternoon.
Any witnesses to the incident are asked to contact investigators on 08000969070.
It’s Arron Davies ID like to just say I think it’s very important that although it isn’t part of that sad tragic day but investigators should ask a few people what the plain clothes c.I.d officer’s are like and the probation service cause trust me myself and alot will tell you how much there abusing there power and othority, people on the other side of the fence have no chance who people gonna believe a police officer or probation worker compared to somone who has mad a few mistakes along there path in life and are looking for that support and help. Investigate that and although it has no ties with this investigation it shows circumstancial evidence. They don’t care for the people they should, they bare face lie and people like us have no chance in court just because of there title. Professional in Bedford are abusing there othority and I promise it won’t be me just saying this and I’m not a typical ” oh they all say that bout police or probation but they really are I’m a normal guy fair honest and had a bad start in life but when sent to probationthe duty of care they had for me was a joke. Made me more I’ll going than not going they let me down massive just as the police let Karl Yankee down God bless u mate. Seriously something needs to be done it isn’t right but who do we turn to when police or probation do nothing and if there was all we get is looks like we lie but I’m fair no reason to lie. Investigate the undeline problem comes from people taking there position to a next level. Very lazy professional in Bedford r.I.p Yankee