Former Aston Villa Striker Dalian Atkinson Tasered To Death By Police

Former footballer Dalian Atkinson has died after being shot with a Taser by police in Shropshire.

West Mercia Police said officers responded to a report of concern for the safety of a man at about 01:30 BST in the Trench area of Telford.

A Taser was used on the 48-year-old man and after receiving medical help, he was pronounced dead at about 03:00.
Paramedics said he went into cardiac arrest on his way to hospital. The death has been referred to the police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).
Telford resident Paula Quinn, who lives in a first-floor flat, told the Shropshire Star she had witnessed the Taser being fired after hearing shouting.
"I stuck my head out the window to look out and I saw two police officers shouting at the gentleman and he sort of was stumbling towards them and the police officers warned him they would Taser him, but he just seemed a bit, perhaps, inebriated.
"And because he continued to step forward once or twice - non-threatening - they deployed the Taser," she said.
"As the Taser hit him in the stomach he just went 'doof', down like a lead balloon."
 Ipswich Town, where the footballer started his career, tweeted his death was "terribly sad news".
Aston Villa, for whom the striker scored in the club's 3-1 defeat of Manchester United in the 1994 League Cup final, tweeted: "RIP Dalian Atkinson. You'll never be forgotten!"
Villa legend Paul McGrath also tweeted his reaction, describing his former team-mate as a "huge part of the Villa family", while former Villa winger Tony Daley described it as "devastating news".

Terribly sad news about our former striker. Our thoughts are with Dalian's family and friends at this tragic time. https://t.co/AHNU6LZ1B0

— Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) August 15, 2016

RIP Dalian Atkinson. You’ll never be forgotten! #AVFC pic.twitter.com/eAPbAbtpJa

— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) August 15, 2016

Don't feel to gud at the moment , Dalian Atkinson was a huge part of the Villa family I played with lovely kid and friend R.I.P pal Xx.

— Paul McGrath (@Paulmcgrath5) August 15, 2016

 West Midlands Ambulance Service crews called by police arrived to find a man had been Tasered.
"As he was being conveyed to Princess Royal Hospital, his condition deteriorated and he went into cardiac arrest," a spokesman said.
"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.