27 March 2018

Before HM Coroner Andrew Harris
Southwark Coroner's Court
Opens Wednesday 28 March, 9.30am 

Tomorrow an inquest hearing will open and adjourn into the death of Kevin Clarke, aged 35, who died following police contact in Lewisham, South London earlier this month. Kevin’s family will be in attendance and plan to make a statement outside the coroner’s court following the hearing at around 10am.

Kevin was a black man, who suffered from mental ill health. He came into contact with police during a mental health crisis on a residential street in Lewisham on the afternoon of Friday 9 March. He was restrained by police before he “became unwell”, and was taken to hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The Independent Office for Police Conduct are currently investigating, and have taken statements from nine officers who were involved.

This hearing is the short initial opening of the inquest, and will adjourn after around 30 mins, pending a full inquest in due course.

INQUEST has been working with the family of Kevin Clarke since his death. The family is represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group members Cyrilia Davies Knight of Hudgell Solicitors and Leslie Thomas QC of Garden Court Chambers.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

For further information, to register your interest or make interview requests, please contact Lucy McKay on 07483 456 401 or [email protected]

Media releases from the Independent Office for Police Conduct on their investigation are available here.