A man has suffered serious head injuries after plunging over a wall in Aberdeen as he tried to escape police.
The 25-year-old fell from a 15ft embankment at Marischal Court onto Commerce Street early yesterday morning while he fled officers who had been called to a “disturbance” in the area.
Last night – as the man was treated at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary – prosecutors ordered the independent watchdog which monitors police conduct in Scotland to investigate the incident, which happened just after midnight.
The northbound lane of Commerce Street was shut for more than 15 hours while officers made inquiries and scoured the area around Marischal Court and Virginia Court.
Horrified residents who live in the high-rise flats – and who had been woken by the “commotion” outside – said they watched as police worked through the night, taking pictures and gathering evidence.
One man, who did not want to be named, said the man had run off when police officers arrived on scene.
Yesterday, a patch of sand could be seen covering a stain in the middle of Commerce Street, marking the spot where is it understood he landed.
Police Scotland confirmed it was called to the Marischal Court area yesterday morning after receiving reports of a “disturbance”.
However, a spokeswoman for the force could not confirm if police had been pursuing the man before he fell.
She added that a second man was assisting them with the “disturbance” they were initially called out to, and appealed for anyone who saw either incident to contact police.
“Police Scotland are appealing for any witnesses or persons who have information in relation to the incident and ask they contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111,” she said.
Councillor for the area, Jean Morrison, said it had been an “unfortunate incident”.
“I’d urge anyone who witnessed it or who has information about it to contact the police if they haven’t already done so,” she said.
City-centre councillor, Nathan Morrison, who lives at Castlegate and heard the officers arrive, said he trusted that police had acted “appropriately”.
A spokesman for the Crown Office confirmed it had asked the Police Investigations & Review Commissioner – the body that looks into the most serious incidents involving officers – to launch a probe into what happened.
“We can confirm that the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has instructed the Police Investigations & Review Commissioner to carry out an independent investigation into an incident in Commerce Street, Aberdeen just after midnight on Monday, July 2,” he said.
“A report will be submitted to the COPFS in due course.”