The video shows Arthur Holser-Hermert, 27, on his back, with police attempting cardiopulmonary resuscitation while passers-by shout: “You killed him.” Mr Holscher-Ermert is heard moaning in pain in another clip as he is held face down on the street after Saturday night’s clash at Peacehaven in East Sussex. Mr Holscher-Ermert, whose father Jens Holscher is an economist at Bournemouth University, died on the scene after being hit by a black BMW driven by Sussex police. A friend said they believed Mr Holscher-Ermert was being prosecuted for driving without insurance, but police have not commented on any alleged violations.
The man suffered “pain and shock”
Witnesses told the Times that the police car had swept the main line to hit Mr Holscher-Emert, who was a pedestrian. Police then handcuffed the man while he was lying on the ground, bleeding from his head. A passerby named Matt told the newspaper he was about 60 meters away when Mr Holser-Emert was knocked down. He told the Times: “The blue lights came on and the BMW swerved over the road and hit this child. They had to go about 30 miles per hour. The young man was halfway. The police car crossed the road to to hit him. ” Matt and his friends ran to see what had happened and took a video on his phone. “She was rolling on the floor in pain and shock. There was a pool of blood around him and they were still trying to handcuff him. “My friend held his head until he died. The copper that drove the car did not know what to do. “He tried to say he did not, but we saw him,” said Matt.
Flower tributes are piled up
Mr Holscher-Ermert’s family has called for justice. His brother, Karl Holscher-Ermert, posted on social media: “Last night, around midnight, my brother was beaten and killed by the police. Be quiet up there my boy. Take care of mom and make sure you give her a lot of pressure from me. “If you have any information or evidence, would you like to forward it to me so we can understand what happened, as the Sussex police have not yet contacted us about the incident.” Flowers have been piled up at junction A259 with tributes calling Mr. Holscher-Ermert a “hero.” A man who gave his name as Jason told the Times: “The police were judges, jurors and executors on Saturday night. I know he was driving unsafe and one or two unmarked police cars were chasing him. “He’s a little lad like me. I do not care what someone has done, I do not give him the right. Whatever it was, it is up to the courts to decide. They do not have the right to cut his hair like that. “If he was a terrorist, definitely use any violence. They cut him. “Some of my friends sent me the video.”
“Tragic incident”
Sussex police said the matter has been referred to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC), which will conduct an independent investigation into a police vehicle. Attorney General Jo Banks said: “This is a tragic incident and we fully support the IOPC investigation. “We want to thank the drivers and residents for their patience while the A259 South Coast was closed.” An IOPC spokesman said: “We launched an independent investigation into police actions before a deadly collision with a pedestrian on Dorothy Avenue in Peacehaven, Lewes last night. A man about 20 years old unfortunately died on the spot. “We were notified of the incident by Sussex police and sent investigators to the scene and police procedures after the incident to begin our investigation. “Our thoughts are with the man’s family right now.”
