Events in police van 'critical' pathologist tells inquest into death of Birmingham man Michael Powell

Nov 26 2009 by Paul Suart, Birmingham Mail

POLICE used nine times the normal quantity of CS spray advised in training to restrain a Birmingham father of three who later died, an inquest jury heard.

It was also told that the manner in which Michael Powell was held in a police van could have led to his death.

Officers were called to Wilton Street, Lozells, in September 2003, to deal with Mr Powell who had smashed windows at his mother’s home, the hearing was told.

They used CS spray and force to restrain the 38-year-old before he was handcuffed, bundled head-first into a van and taken to Thornhill Road police station.

Minutes after arriving at the station he died from a cardiac arrest. It remains unclear whether Mr Powell was forced to lie face down in the police van, but it is accepted that he was not on his back.

Forensic scientist Claire Lowrie, who inspected the police vehicle and carried out a reconstruction of what Mr Powell might have experienced, told the hearing his positioning on the floor would have seriously impaired his breathing.

Ms Lowrie’s suggestion came following evidence from forensic pathologist Jack Crane who had earlier told the jury a “critical” event had happened in the van which caused Mr Powell to die of positional asphyxia.

“There was a 38cm wide aisle between the seats on either side,” she said.

“This was a minibus rather than a van designed to transport people.

“It’s not meant for people to lie down in.

“I was restricted in what I could do when I was lying (face down) in the van.

“I found it harder to breathe. Being in contact with the floor is what made it difficult to breathe.

“On my side there was even less room.

“I can’t eliminate that he was not on his front.

“He could have been.”

(Proceeding)