The police watchdog has launched an investigation after former Aston Villa footballer Dalian Atkinson died when he was Tasered.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission confirmed it was probing the death of the 48-year-old who was hit with a stun gun in Telford, Shropshire.
A spokeswoman said: "IPCC investigators are at the scene gathering the available information and are attending the post-incident procedures to supervise the recovery of initial evidence.
"The IPCC is conducting a full and thorough investigation into all of the circumstances surrounding his death including the use of force."
Police were called at around 1.30am today amid concerns "for the safety of an individual" and a Taser was used.
Atkinson was pronounced dead at around 3pm, police said.
Relatives tonight said police would not have used the Taser had they known the former striker’s medical history.
Speaking near where his uncle was hit, Fabian Atkinson said: “He had some health issues that he was trying to get through and that's why his heart was weak.
"When a Taser is deployed, as soon as a Taser is deployed, they need to automatically call an ambulance. How do they know the health of the guy or the girl that they are affecting?"
Mr Atkinson’s father Ernest, 85, reportedly said his son was agitated before he was Tasered while neighbours described how he was “almost staggering” in the street.
Paula Quinn claimed Mr Atkinson went down "like a lead balloon" after the weapon was fired at him.
She said: “I heard shouting and something smashing, which is what alerted me to look out of the window. I am feeling a bit sick knowing that the poor lad has passed.
“I don't care what anybody has done. Nobody deserves to die as a result of something like that."
Atkinson began his career at Ipswich and later played for Sheffield Wednesday and Spanish side Real Sociedad before he moved to Villa.
He scored more than 20 Premier League goals for the Birmingham side between 1991 and 1995 before going on to play less successfully for teams including Turkish side Fenerbache and Manchester City, and ended his playing career playing in South Korea in 2001
The star was famed for scoring a magnificent solo goal against Wimbledon at Selhurst Park in 1992 and represented England’s B team.
Former players including Sol Campbell and Ian Taylor have paid tribute to the 48-year-old following his death.
