AN INDEPENDENT watchdog is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 25-year-old man while in the hands of Thames Valley Police.

Officers had arrested the man for assault in the early hours of Friday morning and were taking him to custody in Abingdon when he suffered a medical emergency en route.  

The officers stopped the vehicle at the entrance to Redbridge Park and Ride, in Abingdon Road, at about 5.30am where he was given treatment.

He was subsequently taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, where he died later that day.

The matter has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission. An IPCC spokesman said: “The Independent Police Complaints Commission has begun an independent investigation into prior police contact with a man who died in Oxford on Friday.

“The man was being escorted to custody in a police vehicle when he became unwell at around 5.30am. He was taken to hospital where he later died. We have made contact with the man's family to explain the IPCC’s investigation and role.”

The park and ride site was closed for a number of hours on Friday while an investigation took place.

More information is expected in the coming days.