Former Aston Villa footballer dies after being tasered by police

Former Aston Villa striker Dalian Atkinson has
died after being tasered by police in Telford,
Shropshire. The 48-year-old died 90 minutes
after he was hit by a stun gun on Monday
morning August 15, at around 1.30am in the
Trench area of Telford, Shropshire, UK.
West Mercia Police can confirm that officers
responded to a report for the concern for the
safety of an individual at approximately 1.30am
this morning at an address in Telford," the force
said in a statement.
"Upon arrival Taser was deployed and a 48-year-
old man, who subsequently received medical
attention, was pronounced dead at
approximately 3am. West Mercia Police are
unable to comment any further as the incident
has been referred to the Independent Police
Complaints Commission (IPCC) as is normal
procedure, and will assist the IPCC with their
inquiries."
A West Midlands Ambulance Service
spokesman said Atkinson was being taken to
Princess Royal Hospital when he suffered a
cardiac arrest. He was pronounced dead shortly
after arriving the medical facility.
"We were called by West Mercia Police to an
address in Meadow Close in the Trench area of
Telford at about 1.45am this morning. An
ambulance was dispatched and upon arrival
found a man who had been Tasered. As he was
being conveyed to Princess Royal Hospital, his
condition deteriorated and he went into cardiac
arrest. 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."
Former team-mate Tony Daley, who played for
Aston Villa at the same time as Mr Atkinson,
tweeted: "Devastating news...RIP Dalian" with
an image of a broken heart.
Another former player, Ian Taylor, said: "Just
heard news re my old team mate Dalian.
Deepest condolences to his family. Only spoke
to him last week as well. Sad sad news
Atkinson was a top flight striker in the 1990s,
with a goal for league runners-up Aston Villa
against Wimbledon. He went on to score at
Wembley in 1994 as Villa beat Manchester
United to lift the League Cup. Atkinson ended
his career playing in South Korea in 2001.