A 25-year-old man who entered a canal while fleeing police near Notting Hill Carnival has been named as Karnell Kelly, as investigators appeal for witnesses and footage of the incident.
Mr Kelly was approached by officers near Harrow Road, west London, at about 3.20pm on Monday, August 31, as he made his way towards the carnival. The Independent Office for Police Conduct said he was wearing a face covering and briefly spoke to officers before running away.
Police pursued him along Hormead Road before he entered the Grand Union Canal near Meanwhile Gardens, off Kensal Road.
Officers and members of the public went into the water and pulled Mr Kelly out. Police provided emergency first aid at the scene before he was taken by ambulance to a central London hospital, where he later died.
The IOPC said it was independently investigating the contact between Mr Kelly and the Metropolitan Police. Ten officers have so far provided initial accounts and are being treated as witnesses.
Metropolitan Police divers searched the canal on Wednesday, September 2, after Mr Kelly and a police officer sustained injuries while in the water. Investigators said they were trying to establish the cause of those injuries.
The watchdog has conducted a CCTV search and delivered leaflets to nearby properties as it seeks witnesses or video recorded by people attending the carnival, residents, boat owners and barge operators.
Mr Kelly’s family has been informed of the investigation. The coroner has been notified and an inquest opening date has yet to be set.
