A 25-year-old man who entered a canal while running from police near Notting Hill Carnival has been publicly identified as investigators examine the circumstances surrounding his death.
Karnell Kelly was recovered from the Grand Union Canal close to a park in North Kensington, west London, on Monday afternoon. Emergency responders performed CPR at the scene before he was taken to hospital, where he was declared dead at 4.45pm.
According to police, officers had a brief exchange with Mr Kelly, who was wearing a face covering, as he made his way toward the Notting Hill Carnival area at around 3.30pm on Monday.
He then ran from officers, prompting a foot chase along Hormead Road before he entered the water near Meanwhile Gardens, the Metropolitan Police said.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct has opened an investigation into Mr Kelly’s death and is set to examine body-worn camera footage from the officers involved in the pursuit.
The police watchdog said on Friday that investigators have already spoken to 10 officers, who are currently being treated as witnesses in the inquiry into Mr Kelly’s death.
On Wednesday, divers from the Met’s Marine Policing Unit carried out searches of the canal. It has also emerged that both Mr Kelly and one of the officers who attended the incident sustained injuries while in the water.
The IOPC said it has met with Mr Kelly’s family to outline its role and has pledged to provide regular updates as the investigation, which remains at an early stage, continues.
A man who jumped into a canal while fleeing officers at Notting Hill Carnival has been named for the first time as a probve cause of death (police are seen attending to a fight)
Police officers are seen detaining a man in Ladbroke Grove at Notting Hill Carnival on Monday
It said in a statement: ‘We are also appealing for any witnesses and/or video footage of any part of this incident from members of the public at the event, or from nearby properties, boats and barges.
‘We urge people not to speculate about the incident or share videos online.
‘We have conducted a CCTV trawl in the area and delivered leaflets to surrounding properties appealing for information.’
Amanda Rowe, IOPC director of engagement, said: ‘Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Karnell Kelly and everyone affected by his death.
‘We need to independently establish the exact circumstances of this incident given that he has died following an interaction with police officers.
‘We are therefore appealing for anyone who may have witnessed and/or videoed any part of the incident to make contact with our investigators by email.’
Met Police commander Claire Smart previously described the incident as ‘tragic’.
She said: ‘Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the man who has lost his life.
Police officers detain people after a fight broke out in Ladbroke Grove on Monday evening
Notting Hill Carnival attracts millions of people each year for two days of partying
‘Any death following contact with the police is passed to the Independent Office for Police Conduct so the circumstances can be fully investigated. I would encourage everyone to avoid speculation while this work takes place.
‘I acknowledge the efforts of the officers and members of the public who entered the canal to rescue this man. I know they will be devastated that his life couldn’t ultimately be saved.’
Notting Hill Carnival attracts millions of people each year for two days of partying, with revellers seen climbing on top of bus stops and engaging in racy dancing.
On Sunday’s ‘family day’ of the carnival police detained 243 people, and the force made a further 315 arrests yesterday – bringing the total number of arrests to 560 as of Monday night, according to the force.
It is likely the number will rise while further arrests are processed, police said.
Monday is considered the ‘adults day’ of Europe’s biggest street party, with loud sound systems, larger crowds, widespread drinking and racier dancing.
The force said it arrested 97 people on the ‘approaches’ to carnival, while the remainder were arrested within the event itself.
Offences ranged from possession of drugs and weapons to assaults, including assaults on emergency workers and sexual offences.
The Met added there were two assaults with knives over the course of the event – one stabbing and one slashing – neither of which resulted in life-threatening injuries.
On Monday, 48 of the arrests followed identification using live facial recognition.
Using the technology allowed officers to stop 43 registered sex offenders to check they were complying with licence conditions. Three were arrested for breaching their conditions, in addition to three arrested for breaches on Sunday.
Of those arrested on Sunday, 61 were identified via facial recognition after the force deployed the technology as part of an intense policing operation at the festival.
