A man who jumped into a canal while fleeing officers at Notting Hill Carnival has been named for the first time as police probe his cause of death.
Karnell Kelly, 25, was pulled from the Grand Union Canal near a park in North Kensington, west London, on Monday afternoon. He was given CPR before being rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead at 4.45pm.
Officers had briefly spoken to Mr Kelly, who was wearing a face covering, as he approached the carnival area about 3.30pm on Monday.
He fled officers on foot and was chased down Hormead Road before he entered the canal near Meanwhile Gardens, police said.
The IOPC has launched an investigation into Mr Kelly’s death and will review body-worn footage from the officers who gave chase.
Investigators have so far spoken to 10 officers who are being treated as witnesses to Mr Kelly’s death, the watchdog said on Friday.
Divers from the Met’s Marine Policing Unit searched the canal on Wednesday as it was revealed both Mr Kelly and an attending officer were injured while in the water.
The IOPC said it had met with Mr Kelly’s family to explain their role and will keep them regularly updated throughout the investigation, which is in its early stages.
A man who jumped into a canal while fleeing officers at Notting Hill Carnival has been named for the first time as a probve cause of death (police are seen attending to a fight)
Police officers are seen detaining a man in Ladbroke Grove at Notting Hill Carnival on Monday
It said in a statement: ‘We are also appealing for any witnesses and/or video footage of any part of this incident from members of the public at the event, or from nearby properties, boats and barges.
‘We urge people not to speculate about the incident or share videos online.
‘We have conducted a CCTV trawl in the area and delivered leaflets to surrounding properties appealing for information.’
Amanda Rowe, IOPC director of engagement, said: ‘Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Karnell Kelly and everyone affected by his death.
‘We need to independently establish the exact circumstances of this incident given that he has died following an interaction with police officers.
‘We are therefore appealing for anyone who may have witnessed and/or videoed any part of the incident to make contact with our investigators by email.’
Met Police commander Claire Smart previously described the incident as ‘tragic’.
She said: ‘Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the man who has lost his life.
Police officers detain people after a fight broke out in Ladbroke Grove on Monday evening
Notting Hill Carnival attracts millions of people each year for two days of partying
‘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.
‘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.’
Notting Hill Carnival attracts millions of people each year for two days of partying.
On Sunday’s ‘family day’ of the carnival police detained 243 people, and the force made a further 315 arrests yesterday – bringing the total number of arrests to 560 as of Monday night, according to the force.
It is likely the number will rise while further arrests are processed, police said.
Pictures taken on Monday show officers searching and arresting people during the carnival’s 60th anniversary celebrations.
Monday is considered the ‘adults day’ of Europe’s biggest street party, with loud sound systems, larger crowds, widespread drinking and racier dancing.
The force said it arrested 97 people on the ‘approaches’ to carnival, while the remainder were arrested within the event itself.
Offences ranged from possession of drugs and weapons to assaults, including assaults on emergency workers and sexual offences.
The Met added there were two assaults with knives over the course of the event – one stabbing and one slashing – neither of which resulted in life-threatening injuries.
On Monday, 48 of the arrests followed identification using live facial recognition.
Using the technology allowed officers to stop 43 registered sex offenders to check they were complying with licence conditions. Three were arrested for breaching their conditions, in addition to three arrested for breaches on Sunday.
Of those arrested on Sunday, 61 were identified via facial recognition after the force deployed the technology as part of an intense policing operation at the festival, which attracts millions of people each year
