Ian Tomlinson, the man who died at last week’s G20 protests in London, was attacked from behind and thrown to the ground by a baton-wielding police officer in riot gear, dramatic footage obtained by the Guardian shows.
Moments after the assault on Tomlinson was captured on video, he suffered a heart attack and died.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HECMVdl-9SQ&feature=channel_page]
A phalanx of officers, some with dogs and some in riot gear, are close behind him and try to urge him forward.
A Metropolitan police officer appears to strike him with a baton, hitting him from behind on his upper thigh.
Moments later, the same policeman rushes forward and, using both hands, pushes Tomlinson in the back and sends him flying to the ground, where he remonstrates with police who stand back, leaving bystanders to help him to his feet.
The man who shot the footage, a fund manager from New York who was in London on business, said he had attended the protests out of curiosity. He said: “The primary reason for me coming forward is that it was clear the family were not getting any answers.”
The witness accounts contradict the official version of events given by police.
In an official statement on the night of Tomlinson’s death, the Metropolitan police made no reference to any contact with officers and described attempts by police medics and an ambulance crew to save his life after he collapsed efforts which they said were marred by protesters throwing missiles as first aid was administered.
Other witnesses have come forward, contradicting this police account of missiles being thrown as well.
Full Guardian account of the story at:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/apr/07/ian-tomlinson-g20-death-video
Some of Sky News coverage:
http://indepth.news.sky.com/InDepth/topic/G20_Protests
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Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) to independently investigate the case of Ian Tomlinson
http://www.ipcc.gov.uk/news/pr080409_iantomlinsoninvestigation.htm
