Young man who drowned in River Thames while being arrested pictured as dad pays tribute
A young man who jumped into the Thames in London while being arrested after “a verbal altercation” with a woman has been pictured.
Liam Allan, 23, who had big dreams of making it as a rapper, caught the attention of police in south west London on Friday night when officers noticed him in an argument with a woman “who was known to him”.
The Met Police said an allegation of theft was made and when officers were in the process of arresting the man “he entered the water”.
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He wasn’t placed in handcuffs, the Met added.
(Image: Handout/MyLondon)
The Mirror reported that the labourer was standing on steps outside Bill’s Kingston restaurant on Riverside Walk when he entered the water just after 10.30pm.
Two hours later, Liam’s body was pulled from the Thames and despite the best efforts of paramedics he was pronounced dead, MyLondon reports.
Liam’s family say he had been drinking but they believe he was “calm” while talking to police.
Body-worn camera footage is currently under review to see how he entered the river.
The incident has been referred to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC), a standard procedure with any death that happens following police contact.
(Image: Handout/MyLondon)
In a heartbreaking tribute, Liam’s dad James Allen said: “I am broken. He was just so bubbly. He would talk to anyone. He would do anything for anyone.
“He was a little git sometimes, he was no angel, he had his tellings off, but he had a good heart.
“He would give someone his last pound, and he often did. I was with him in Hounslow once and he gave a homeless bloke some money. Considering he did not have a lot himself.
“He would talk to the most random people walking down the street, he would always come in with bits for the kids. It’s been a bad couple of years, we lost my mum and dad, and now Liam.”
(Image: Handout/MyLondon)
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James revealed that Liam has not only left behind his beloved brother Tyler, 14, and little sister Jessica, five, but also another brother and two sisters on his mum’s side.
He added: “He was a good kid. He was trying so hard… He had big dreams [of doing music] and from what I have been told he was quite good as well.”
The IOPC said: “IOPC investigators attended the police post-incident procedures to obtain initial accounts from the officers involved.
“We have now begun the process of gathering and reviewing evidence, including footage of the interaction between officers and the man.”
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