Man dies near Notting Hill Carnival after entering canal

A man died near Notting Hill Carnival in London on Monday afternoon, the Metropolitan Police have confirmed.

Police officers had attempted to stop the man, believed to be in his 20s, as he approached the event. He fled on foot with officers in pursuit, and entered the water in the vicinity of Meanwhile Gardens a short time later, the force said.

Taken to hospital by ambulance the man was pronounced dead a short time later.

Cdr Claire Smart said: “This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the loved ones of the man who has lost his life.”

The Met Police said officers had attempted to stop the man at about 15:19 BST near Harrow Road.

The man entered the water in the vicinity of Meanwhile Gardens, off Kensal Road.

Officers and members of the public went in after him and pulled him from the water, police said, and officers immediately started CPR.

Paramedics were called and continued treatment at the canal side before taking the man to a central London hospital. He was pronounced dead at 16:43.

The Met Police said on Monday night that urgent enquiries were ongoing to locate and inform his next of kin.

Smart, gold commander for the Notting Hill Festival, said: “Any death following contact with the police is passed to the Independent Office for Police Conduct so the circumstances can be fully investigated.

“I would encourage everyone to avoid speculation while this work takes place.”

She added: “I acknowledge the efforts of the officers and members of the public who entered the canal to rescue this man. I know they will be devastated that his life couldn’t ultimately be saved.”

The Met Police said the two days of the festival had passed “largely without incident”.

There were two assaults with knives – one stabbing and one slashing. Neither resulted in life-threatening injuries.

On Monday evening, police said there had been 315 arrests that day, bringing the total number of arrests to 560.