Man who died after being Tasered by police on Chelsea Bridge carried firelighter, not screwdriver

Oladeji Adeyemi Omishore was also Tasered "more than once", it has been revealed.

Oladeji Adeyemi Omishore died in hospital after police Tasered him.

A man who died after jumping from a bridge having been Tasered by police was carrying a firelighter and not a screwdriver, a watchdog has said. Oladeji Adeyemi Omishore was initially reported to have had a screwdriver when police officers were called to Chelsea Bridge in West London on June 4th.

Footage of the incident posted on social media showed the 41-year-old being Tasered before running over to the side of the bridge and jumping over the barrier into the River Thames. On Tuesday, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, investigating what happened, said he had been carrying a plastic and metal firelighter.

The watchdog also confirmed Mr Omishore's name for the first time, although he had previously been named by neighbours and an inquest into his death was opened and adjourned on June 15th. Independent Office for Police Conduct regional director Sal Naseem said: "Our thoughts remain with Mr Omishore's family and all those affected by his death. We continue to consult with his family and keep them updated on the progress of our independent investigation.

"Our investigators continue to gather and analyse key evidence, including footage recorded at the scene and initial accounts from officers and members of the public. We would urge anyone else who may have seen or recorded any part of the incident, either on the bridge or after Mr Omishore entered the river, to contact us without delay. We must understand all of the circumstances surrounding his death."

A post-mortem examination was conducted on June 13th, and Independent Office for Police Conduct investigators are waiting for a pathologist's report to give the cause of death. The Independent Office for Police Conduct said: "We had confirmed Mr Omishore was holding a plastic and metal firelighter when two officers on Chelsea Bridge approached him.

"The initial police report stated he had a screwdriver. One of the officers discharged a Taser before the man entered the river. It has been confirmed the Taser was discharged more than once."