Policeman begged dying man to spit out drugs

A MAN who tried to swallow a drugs package choked to death as a weeping policeman fought to save him, a court heard.

Andrew Aitken, 41, collapsed in the street in front of passers-by while the distraught officer slapped his back, saying: “Please God, son, spit it out.”

The father-of-two was taken to hospital after the heroin lodged in his throat but could not be revived, a fatal accident inquiry was told yesterday.

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Witness Thomas Murray, 46, was in a betting shop in Irvine, Ayrshire, in August 2010 when he heard a disturbance outside.

Mr Murray said: “I was putting on a line when I heard something going on so I went out and saw a man lying on the ground with a policeman over him.

“I saw the policeman trying to resuscitate him, while he was shouting for help over his radio. I think he had gloves on and a plastic object.

“The policeman got up and he was very upset. There was a lot of folk there.”

John Walker, 77, told the inquiry he flagged down a police van close to the scene.

Mr Walker said: “The policeman was in a very high state of emotion. To me, he was crying.”

The inquiry continues.

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