Officers restrained and tried to handcuff economist’s son as he lay dying in the street after he was struck by an unmarked police car, witnesses say
- Arthur Holscher-Ermert, 27, died at the scene despite efforts to resuscitate him
- Witnesses said he was hit by a black BMW police car which swerved to strike him
- The incident occurred in Peacehaven, East Sussex, around 11:00pm on April 30
- Jens’ son was allegedly being pursued by officers on suspicion of driving without insurance, but was ran down while on foot by the BMW
Police officers held down and attempted to handcuff the son of a Bournemouth university lecturer even after he had been ran over by an unmarked police car, according to witnesses.
Footage of the incident seen by The Times appeared to show 27-year-old Arthur Holscher-Ermert lying motionless on the ground as officers attempted CPR as enraged onlookers screamed ‘you’ve killed him!’
In another clip filmed moments earlier, the man could be heard moaning in agony as he lay face down in the street being manhandled by officers after he was struck by a black BMW police vehicle near the junction of Dorothy Avenue in Peacehaven, East Sussex at around 11:00pm on April 30.
Holscher-Ermert, who died at the scene despite efforts to resuscitate him, was the son of economics lecturer Jens Holscher.
Jens’ son was allegedly being pursued by officers on suspicion of driving without insurance, but was ran down while on foot by the BMW, which witnesses said swerved into the opposite lane to hit him.
The 27-year-old was killed by the vehicle near the junction of Dorothy Avenue in Peacehaven, East Sussex at around 11:00pm on April 30
Holscher-Ermert, who died at the scene despite efforts to resuscitate him, was the son of economics lecturer Jens Holscher
Officers from Essex Police patrol the perimeter surrounding the scene of the accident on Sunday morning
Police were examining the scene with sniffer dogs on Sunday morning and Sussex police officers spent Sunday morning trying to contact next of kin.
The busy junction connects Peacehaven and Newhaven to Brighton.
As the incident involved a police vehicle, the matter has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) who will carry out an independent investigation.
A spokesman said: ‘As the incident involved a police vehicle, the matter has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) who will carry out an independent investigation.’
Witnesses told The Times the police car, driven by an Essex officer, crossed the centre line of the road to strike Holscher-Ermert.
One witness said: ‘A black BMW and a blue Audi came round the corner. Their blue lights came on and the BMW swerved over the road and hit this bloke.
‘There was a pool of blood around him and they were still trying to cuff him,’ the witness claimed.
The victim’s heartbroken brother Karl Holscher-Ermert paid tribute to him on Facebook yesterday morning.
He wrote: ‘RIP my baby brother. Right, I don’t really have the words but need to get this out there.
Holscher-Ermert sustained serious injuries and despite the best efforts of paramedics and first responders, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Pictured: The victim with his brother Karl (bottom right)
‘I have the worst news to tell everyone.
‘Last night at roughly midnight my brother Arthur Holscher-Ermert was run over and killed by police on south coast road, Peacehaven!
‘Rest easy up there my boy look after mum make sure you give her a big squeeze from me.’
Holscher-Ermert, who was a keen amateur footballer, had appeared in court in 2019 for drug driving, possession of cannabis and driving without a licence.
Chief Superintendent Jo Banks said: ‘This is a tragic incident and we are fully supporting the IOPC investigation.
‘We want to thank drivers and residents for their patience while the A259 South Coast Road was closed.’
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