Cause of Taser man's death unknown

Tests on a man who died after being Tasered by police have proved inconclusive.

Bodybuilder Dale Burns, 27, was Tasered several times at his flat in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, on Tuesday night as officers tried to arrest him on suspicion of causing criminal damage.

Mr Burns, who was also sprayed with pepper spray during the arrest bid, was taken to hospital but later pronounced dead.

Sources confirmed today that a post-mortem examination was unable to establish the cause of his death and further tests will now be carried out.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is due to officially confirm the post-mortem result later today.

The watchdog has launched an investigation into the incident on Tuesday night.

Cumbria Police were first called to a flat in Hartington Street at around 6.30pm after reports of a "concern for welfare" of a man inside.

Officers attended 10 minutes later and after speaking to the man decided to call an ambulance.

The IPCC said: "Police attempted to arrest the man on suspicion of causing criminal damage at the flat.

"During the arrest, one officer discharged a Taser at the man a number of times.

"Another officer deployed Pava spray (commonly known as pepper spray). The Taser deployed is understood to be a conventional police weapon."

The IPCC said Mr Burns, a father-of-two, was restrained and taken to Furness General Hospital at around 7.30pm, where his condition deteriorated and he was pronounced dead at 8.41pm.