A man who died in police custody is believed to have staggered and collapsed after he got out of a police van.
The family of Steven Chesney say they do not know why he was taken to Motherwell Police Station but they have been told by officers that their relative did not resist arrest.
Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said the 33-year-old died at Wishaw General Hospital after he “became unwell on arrival in police custody” on Sunday.
Mr Chesney was the father of a three-year-old girl, and had two older brothers and one older sister.
Read More:Man, 33, dies while in police custody in Motherwell
He lived in a rented flat in Cleland, Lanarkshire, which was sealed off by police after the incident.
His father and mother were asked to identify the body yesterday, according to grieving relatives.
“They are in complete shock,” said a family member who asked not to be named. “They've got a police liaison officer and obviously we're all waiting on the results of the post mortem, but more than anything we just want to know why this happened. Steven was a bit of a lad but he wasn't a criminal.
“The police won't divulge very much because it’s a death in custody and it's sensitive. All we know is he was taken to Motherwell police station and when he was coming out of the van he staggered. One of the officers grabbed him but he collapsed.
“He was given CPR and rushed to Wishaw General Hospital but he died, all within half an hour of being arrested. It was that quick.
“He didn't have any underlying health conditions, as far as we know, and he was a relatively fit young man.
“One thing the police said was that he was compliant and there wasn’t any mention of violence.
“I pass by that police station every day and there are lots of CCTV cameras on the building. I’m assuming they'll have it on camera. I’d imagine it will all have been captured.”
Another relative, who also asked not to be named, added: “There are a lot of blanks there that need to be filled in. We just heard yesterday and it’s a shock. There are just a lot of questions.”
Read more: First pictures of Steven Chesney who died while in police custody in Motherwell
Mr Chesney’s neighbours were also left stunned by his death. His flat in Biggar Road was cordoned off for most of Sunday and Monday morning.
Broken police tape remains tied to railings at the foot of the stairs. Mr Chesney's car is still parked outside with the driver’s window down.
A single bouquet of flowers has been placed on the ground nearby.
Ronnie Chalmers, 66, has lived in the area for eight years. She said: “It’s awful. He never did me a bad turn. He would look out for me when my husband was away driving a coach.
“The police wouldn't tell us anything, really. They would only say it was a serious incident.
“There were dozens of officers, some in white suits and wearing masks. They were here all day on Sunday, combing the area.”
Lauren Whiteford, 21, who moved to the street at the turn of the year, said: “When I woke up on Sunday morning there was a police car, a police van and two unmarked cars. They taped off the street and we had to sign out and sign in.
“At least five of the officers were wearing white suits. They were walking up and down in a row, staring at the ground and waving sticks, as if they were looking for something.
“I asked what was going on and they said they were Glasgow police and didn't know. I found out later that Steven had died. It’s so sad.”
The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) is to investigate Mr Chesney’s death.
A spokesman for the PIRC said: “The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner has been directed by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) to conduct an investigation into the circumstances leading up to the death in custody of, Steven Chesney, 33, in Motherwell on 1 May 2016.
“A report into the findings of the investigation will be submitted to the COPFS in due course.”
Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said: “Our thoughts are with the family at this tragic time.
“We can confirm that the COPFS has instructed the Pirc to carry out an independent investigation into the circumstances leading up to the death of a 33-year-old man at Wishaw General Hospital who became unwell on arrival in police custody within Motherwell Police office on Sunday.”
A police spokeswoman added last night: “There will be no further comment.”
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