‘Can’t Breathe’ – Heartbreaking Bodycam Video Shows Father Begging to be Released As Metrolink Contract Personnel Restrain Him; suffered cardiac arrest and then died

Heartbreaking body camera footage shows a father begging to be released as Metrolink staff immobilized him in Manchester city center, before going into cardiac arrest and later dying.

Jack Barnes, 29, was immobilized in front of the Australasia restaurant on Deansgate.

The father of one had been involved in an altercation with Victoria station staff, before he and a friend were chased to Spinningfields.

Mr. Barnes repeatedly told four customer service representatives (CSRs) representing Metrolink that he was unable to breathe because they kept him on hold for several minutes.

A coroner who concluded an investigation into Barnes’s death at the Manchester Royal Exchange (Friday, February 26) said that Barnes was illegally murdered.

Stephen Rowlands, Matt Sellars, Brian Gartside, and Paul Fogarty were working as customer service representatives for Metrolink on the night of October 11, 2016.

All had received training on the company’s “withdrawal policy”, which instructed them to call the police if they faced threats of violence.

None of them had received moderation training.

Senior Coroner Nigel Meadows said the men used “excessive” and “unreasonable” force while restraining Mr. Barnes.

He said they were “overstimulated,” “losing self-control” and “getting carried away by the bravado of the persecution.”

Body camera images released by the court show the incident.

The video, the written transcript of which became evidence, begins with images of Mr. Barnes on the ground.

You can hear him say, “I can’t breathe, buddy.”

Then he says, “Help me please.”

Then Mr. Barnes can be heard saying, while lying face down on the floor: “Just help me breathe. Please just help me breathe.”

He continues: “Can I just put my arm out?”

Mr. Sellars responds, “No, no, no, you used a weapon against a member of the staff. Your hand is going nowhere. Do you understand?”

Mr. Barnes responds, “Okay, sorry bro.”

They say, “It is too late to apologize.”

A few seconds later, Mr. Barnes says, “I’m not resisting, but I just can’t breathe. Can you let go of my neck?”

Mr. Sellars responds, “You breathe well. You are talking.”

Mr. Rowlands then says, “I’ll tell you what, I’ll just get it out.”

The transcript provided by the court says that Mr. Rowlands told Mr. Barnes: “I’m going to take you out now friend. Okay? If you fight, I will put you to sleep. I will not kill you, I will not kill.” you, but you will go to sleep for a while. “

Later, Mr. Barnes is heard repeating that he cannot breathe, before asking if he can sit up.

Then he says, “I’m going to get sick, I swear.”

He is told, “No, you are not.”

Mr. Barnes adds: “I’m sorry brother, I’m serious, I’m going to get sick.”

Then he repeats that he can’t breathe, before adding, “I have heart problems.”

Mr. Barnes is told, “No, you don’t.”

When he answers yes, he is asked, “So why are you threatening to stab a staff member?”

Meadows concluded that Barnes, who is originally from Hull and has a young daughter, went into cardiac arrest while being immobilized, several minutes before anyone noticed.

He died several weeks later at Hull Royal Infirmary after suffering a fatal brain injury.

The court heard that Mr. Barnes died of bronchopneumonia, caused by hypoxic brain injury after cardiac arrest, contributed by physical exertion; prolonged and unreasonable restriction; pressure in the neck; and the consumption of synthetic cannabinoids.

Meadows said Gartside and Sellars ‘use of force was “excessive” and “unreasonable” and that Rowalnds’ use of force, in combination with Fogarty, was “extremely excessive” and “unreasonable.”

“When Jack indicated he couldn’t breathe, he could have and should have sat down,” Meadows said.

“I find that these actions were illegal.

“Mr. Sellars overheard Mr. Rowlands say he was going to kick Jack out. Mr. Sellars did nothing to prevent that from happening and Mr. Fogarty helped hold Jack down.

“Rowlands and Fogarty’s actions were illegal and deliberate.

“Jack was killed by wrongful death by a person or joint venture.”

The shocking footage was released by the court following Meadow’s conclusion.

Mr. Barnes’ family was represented in the investigation by Attorney Lauren Dale of Hudgell Solicitors and Attorney Frederick Powell of Doughty Street Chambers.

Ms. Dale said: “Jack’s family, particularly his sister Sam, have found the viewing of the video heartbreaking. His mother has not yet been able to do so to this day.”