Police watchdog to probe Cork-based man’s death

BRITAIN’S police watchdog has formally launched an investigation into the death of a Cork-based man during a police chase due to potential concerns over whether “the actions of officers were appropriate”.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has confirmed the inquiry will begin immediately and focus on the pursuit which ultimately led to Mircea Adam – also known as Bobi Rostas – being hit by an oncoming train.

Mr Adam/Rostas, a 20-year-old father of three children who had been living in Rochestown for a number of years, lost his life at 5.30pm on Monday when he was struck by a highspeed northbound Stansted train at Ordnance Road in the Enfield, north London.

The young man, who was only in London for a short visit and was due to return to Ireland the day after his death, had been in a Mercedes CLK 230 vehicle with two men aged 21 and 22 when they were stopped by police as part of an apparent car insurance check.

On seeing three policemen, the driver of the vehicle attempted to speed away from the scene. However, the car was pursued by officers.

A short time later the Mercedes stopped near a level-crossing, at which point the driver along with front seat passenger, Mr Adam/Rostas, left the vehicle and is said to have attempted to hurdle the safety barrier.

While the driver managed to avoid an oncoming train, Mr Adam/Rostas was hit and killed.

The incident was initially referred to the Metropolitan police force’s professional standards department.

However, in a statement, the Independent Police Complaints Commission said an independent investigation has also been established to clarify the exact details which led to Mr Adam/Rostas’s death.

“As officers had been pursuing the Mercedes for around 90 seconds, minutes earlier, the IPCC has decided to independently investigate whether the actions of the officers were appropriate and whether MPS and national pursuit policies were followed,” a spokesman explained.

The independent body’s most high-profile investigations include the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes in July 2005 and the death of Ian Tomlinson, who was walking near the G20 protests in April 2009.

The family of Mr Adam/Rostas – who had two daughters and a son aged under five years – said he may have fled police because he was “scared” about why they wanted to speak to him.

“I think he must have just panicked when he saw the police.

“He wasn’t a bad man,” the 20-year-old’s cousin, Visan, said.

Eight people have lost their lives on the crossing where Mr Adam/Rostas died since the track was opened 26 years ago.