A MAN fell from a balcony after fleeing from police at a Southampton block of flats.
A 20-year-old man was left fighting for his life after falling from a building in Blechynden Terrace.
He had been spotted just moments before by officers who had been searching for another man as part of a separate and unrelated incident on the morning of March 3.
The case was referred to the police watchdog, the IOPC, which chose not to investigate further.
Hampshire Police have now confirmed that the officers involved will face no further action.
The force said that a review of the incident and police officer conduct has concluded and that the officers acted appropriately.
The incident sparked a major emergency response with an air ambulance called to the scene.
Commercial Road was temporarily closed to traffic while the man was treated for his injuries.
Witnesses described hearing screaming during the “traumatic event”.
Commenting on what happened, a police spokesperson said: “We can confirm that no action will be taken against the officers responding to an incident on March 3 where a man fell from a building in central Southampton resulting him in receiving serious injuries.
“Following the incident, we quickly made a mandatory self-referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
“The IOPC reviewed the circumstances and deemed that the review did not require their independent oversight and could be carried out locally by Hampshire Constabulary’s Professional Standards Department.”
According to police, officers had been in the area of Blechynden Terrace at around 10.45am on March 3 looking to arrest a man in relation to an ongoing investigation.
However, while carrying out enquiries, another man, who the officers were not looking for, spotted them and ran from the area.
The officers then “quickly tried to search” for him to identify him.
But moments later he fell from a balcony.
The police spokesperson added: “When the officers realised the man was on the ground, they immediately began performing CPR and requested urgent medical assistance.”
The Daily Echo has asked police for more information concerning the investigation at Blechynden Terrace and the nature of the man’s injuries but is awaiting a response.
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