Terry Cassidy, 45, from england/england/barking/”>barking/”>Barking, tragically died from a brain injury at Queen’s Hospital, <a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.Romford, on April 9. The father-of-two choked during a <a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.March 30 confrontation with police, sparking fresh questions about officer inaction.

Last Moments Caught on Phone and Video

Minutes before collapsing, Terry called his partner to say he was being followed by unmarked police cars. Officers spotted him drinking from a bottle as he left a vehicle in a car park/”>park off Ivyhouse <a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.Lane, <a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.<a href=”https:///www.uknip.co.Dagenham.

A wrap of drugs previously seen by police near his car was mysteriously missing when they approached, the court heard. Terry appeared unsteady and silent, only nodding or shaking his head in response to officers.

Shortly after, he sat on the ground clutching his chest and quickly grew worse. Paramedics pulled a drugs wrap from his airway during CPR, but it was too late to save him.

Coroner Slams Police for “Inaction” Despite Expert Report

Senior coroner Graeme Irvine criticised police for not checking if Terry could breathe or if something was stuck in his throat. “A great deal of things are going on around him, but no one seemed to assess his condition properly,” he said.

However, an emergency medicine expert’s report concluded Terry was already choking when he exited the car and that neither police nor paramedics could have prevented his death.

Still, Mr Irvine remains concerned about officer inaction. “I have to consider the next person detained by police. Could swifter action save lives?” he questioned.

Tragic Life Cut Short

Terry, once a TV advert and music video professional, lived in Barking as a self-employed computer repairman after a serious foot injury left him disabled. His partner described him as “an angel” with a clean record – except for one minor driving offence.

On the day he died, Terry admitted to holding drugs for a friend. After police stopped his car amid drug use concerns, it’s believed he ingested something and began choking.

Witnesses noted red, bruised marks and scratches around his neck. His partner found him unresponsive in the car park, with telltale signs of distress around his neck and head.

Police Watchdog Steps In

The Met referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), but the watchdog declined a full investigation, suggesting the Met handle it internally. The coroner has made the IOPC an interested party in the upcoming inquest.

Terry Cassidy’s official cause of death: hypoxic ischemic brain injury caused by suspected choking on a foreign body. A full inquest is set for next spring. www.wiltshire999.co.uk/where/united-kingdom/england/east-of-england/essex

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