AN investigation has been launched after a 24-year-old soldier collapsed and died near his home.
Morgan Owen, of Farm Road, Buckley, died on Monday night while police were dealing with what they described as a “public order occurrence”.
An investigation has now been launched by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).
The North East Wales coroner’s office has been informed of the death and a post-mortem examination was due to be carried out yesterday afternoon.
Mr Owen’s family said they had made a complaint to the IPCC but would not be making any further comment until the investigation had been completed.
Witnesses say neighbours tried to restrain Mr Owen, who was serving with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), to provide him with help while police were called. He died after officers had arrived at the scene.
A neighbour said: “There were about seven police cars and two ambulances in the street. There was a heavy police presence.”
Another nearby resident said: “He was just a young lad. He kept himself to himself. It is very sad.”
A Welsh Ambulance Service spokesman said an ambulance and a rapid response vehicle were sent to Buckley.
Farm Road was cordoned off by police for a number of hours after the death.
An IPCC spokesman said: “We can confirm we have decided to independently investigate an incident in Buckley, Flintshire, on Monday night after North Wales Police were called to an incident and a man was later pronounced dead by ambulance staff.
“The IPCC has deployed its investigators to the scene and once we have more information a further statement will be issued.”
In a statement a spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: “It is with regret that we can confirm that on December 5, 2011, a soldier died at Buckley in North Wales. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased soldier at this difficult time.
“The matter is subject to a civil police investigation and it would therefore be inappropriate to comment further whilst this is ongoing.”
A spokesman for North Wales Police said: “An investigation has been initiated into an incident which resulted in the death of a 24-year-old man.
“Police were called to the incident in Buckley at 8.38pm on Monday involving the man who was the centre of a public order occurrence.
“North Wales Police are investigating the full circumstances of the incident and the IPCC has been informed.”
Buckley mayor, Cllr Mike Peers, offered his condolences to Mr Owen’s family and said he hoped the investigation would reveal the circumstances of his death.
“I’m saddened to hear that such a young person has lost their life in such unexplained circumstances,” he said.
Buckley councillor Ron Hampson, who lives on neighbouring Melbourne Road, said the road was cordoned off until the early hours of the morning.
He said: “It is very tragic for someone to lose their life at that age and very sad at this time of the year.
“This is a very serious incident. The whole community is in shock.”