The death of a man who suffered a seizure while handcuffed by officers is being investigated by the police watchdog.
Liam Brackley, from St Helens, was just 26 years old when he died, leaving behind his six-year-old twin daughters. The dad-of-two was described as a "caring, protective brother" and the "life and soul of the room."
Liam was handcuffed the day before his death on September 30 in Parr, St Helens. The ECHO understands Liam Brackley was detained after reports of trespassing.
Merseyside Police initially referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct following Liam's death on October 1 last year. The IOPC reviewed the matter and referred it back to Merseyside Police's Professional Standards Department (PSD). However, Liam's family were unhappy with this decision and asked for it to be reconsidered.
READ MORE: Mum of three who failed to turn up for jury duty tells judge 'I forgot'
READ MORE: Man dies after falling from building
The IOPC has now confirmed is it independently investigating the interaction Merseyside Police had with Liam on September 30, including the level of force used to restrain him. As part of its investigation, the police watchdog said it will also consider a number of complaints made about the actions of police shortly before and following Mr Brackley’s death.
A video taken on September 30 and shared with the ECHO, showed Liam having a seizure while in handcuffs and surrounded by four police officers in a back garden. In the footage, Liam appears to be put into the recovery position in the video by officers, while still in handcuffs.
The 26-year-old appears to remain in handcuffs for around two minutes and 50 seconds before they are removed. Two more officers can be seen arriving at the scene around three minutes into the video.
An officer can be heard saying "wake up" as others move garden furniture out of the way. Officers carry out CPR around four and a half minutes after the seizures begin. Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation is also attempted by the officers towards the end of the video.
Liam was taken to Whiston Hospital after suffering a seizure and a cardiac arrest. His family claim they were not initially told he had been detained when they were informed of his death.
They believe more could have been done by police at the scene and are calling for the force to be better trained in dealing with situations such as this one.
The family told the ECHO in a previous interview: "Liam was the most caring, protective brother. His family meant everything to him.
"He was always the life and soul of the room and would cheer everyone up wherever he was. You could never be sad around Liam.
"He was such a cheeky chap and the ladies loved him. He loved playing rugby, UFC, Liverpool Football Club, playing on the Xbox and St Helen’s rugby team.
"His mates on the Xbox said he was unbeatable. He loved his twin girls so much and was a brilliant uncle to his nieces and nephews. He’d often play with them and give them money.
"Loosing him has absolutely broken us. We are heartbroken, traumatised and my sister and I have lost our baby brother. We now refer to him as our missing piece.
"My mum is no longer the same mum we knew. Our dad is torn. He lived with them and the house is quiet now."
An IOPC spokesperson said: “Our thoughts remain with the family and loved ones of Liam Brackley, as well as all those affected by his death. We are independently investigating the interaction police had with Mr Brackley on 30 September 2023, including the level of force used to restrain him.
“At this stage we understand officers responded to reports of a disturbance in the St Helens area. They located Mr Brackley, who later become unwell. He was taken to hospital where he died the following day.
“As part of our investigation, we will also consider a number of complaints made about the actions of police shortly before and following Mr Brackley’s death.”
Don't miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the Echo Daily newsletter here
