9 February 2018

UPDATE: This inquest concluded in February 2018, however the findings have since been quashed by the High Court and a fresh inquest ordered. See the media release from Broudie Jackson Canter. 

Before HM Senior Coroner for Blackpool & The Fylde, Alan Wilson
Bootle Town Hall, Oriel Road, Bootle, L20 7AE

Opens Monday 12 February 2018 – Expected to last 10 days

The inquest into the death of Carl Bibby, 38, who died on 28th July 2009, opens Monday (12 February). Carl was restrained by Merseyside police during an emergency response to concerns about his welfare and later died.

Carl was at home on the evening of 27th July 2009 when Merseyside Police were called to his address after concerns were raised about his welfare by a neighbour. The police arrived at the flat 50 minutes later and Carl was found on the floor. He was initially unresponsive and struggling with his breathing. An ambulance was called to assist, but there was a 50-minute delay in them attending.

Carl began responding to the police’s attempts to rouse him and during the course of the evening the police made a decision to use a leg restraint. Shortly afterwards Carl stopped breathing, and police officers attempted to administer CPR as the ambulance had not yet arrived. Carl sadly died in the early hours of 28th July 2009.

Carl’s family hope that the inquest will address whether proper assessments were made of the risk to Carl’s life and whether there was proper communication between the emergency services involved that night. The inquest will also look into the use of the restraint and emergency response with the view to establishing how Carl came to die.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

For further information and to register your interest please contact the INQUEST communications team: Lucy McKay or Sarah Uncles on 020 7263 1111 or [email protected].

The family is represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group members Leanne Devine of Broudie Jackson Canter and Ifeanyi Odogwu of Garden Court Chambers.

The family will not be issuing a statement or interviews until the conclusion of the inquest.