Sam Diatta: Provisional cause of death revealed
The inquest into the death of a man who collapsed after an altercation at a York city centre store opened today (Monday).
Sam Diatta, 39, died on 26 July last year at York Hospital.
He was taken there after an incident at the Mappin and Webb jewellers on Coney Street.
Coroner Jonathan Leach opened the inquest into Mr Diatta’s death at 9.30am in Northallerton this morning.
Mr Leach said that Mr Diatta died of hypertensive heart disease and the effects of being restrained.
Mr Diatta, from Suffolk House, Lowther Street, The Groves, became unresponsive when he was restrained following a disturbance at Mappin and Webb.
The hearing was then adjourned. A full inquest will take place at a later date.
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North Yorkshire Police said at the time they received a call at 4.41pm on 26 July and officers arrived at the scene at 4.46pm.
Detective Inspector Steve Menzies of North Yorkshire Police’s Major Investigation Team said three days after the incident: “Mr Diatta entered the store and became involved in an altercation with a member of security staff.
“This escalated resulting in the staff member being injured and Mr Diatta being restrained on the floor by a member of the shop staff and three members of the public.
“Upon police arrival, Mr Diatta was found to have become unresponsive, and emergency first aid was administered.”
Four people were arrested. The investigation is ongoing.