A father died after he was placed in a “dangerous, excessive and inappropriate” restraint following an altercation at a Pontins holiday park, an inquest heard.
Paul Reynolds, 38, was held in a prone position for around 11 minutes with a knee to his back after an initial neck hold, a hearing in Ipswich recorded.
Jurors, who listened to evidence during a three-week hearing, found that the restraint methods were not “appropriate or proportionate” and that Mr Reynolds had not been physically violent.
He was restrained by security and other staff at Pontins in Pakefield near Lowestoft, Suffolk, until police arrived on the evening of February 14 2017.
Paul Reynolds (inset) died two days after the incident at Pontins Pakefield
- Credit: Archant/Supplied by family
An inquest has found a father-of-three would have survived if he had not been restrained in a dangerous manner at Pontins Pakefield.
Colchester man Paul Reynolds, 38, was restrained by security staff after being involved in an altercation with another guest at the holiday park, near Lowestoft, on Valentine s Day 2017.
Mr Reynolds, who had been on holiday at the resort with his partner Carrie Bennett and their three sons, was subsequently arrested by police.
However, on the journey to the police station, Mr Reynolds condition worsened and an ambulance was called at the roadside.
In their conclusion, jurors said: “Mr Reynolds was not physically violent. “The restraint used was dangerous, excessive and inappropriate and fell below the standards of the Pontins policy.” They went on: “The SIA (Security Industry Authority) badged security guard restrained Mr Reynolds with a neck hold. “This restraint should only be used when in fear for your life. “He was then held in a prone position with his hands behind his back for approximately 11 minutes with a knee to the left side of his back.” They said his legs were held folded in a hold “used by the police and prison service only as a last resort in specific extreme circumstances”.
A father died after he was placed in a “dangerous, excessive and inappropriate” restraint following an altercation at a Pontins holiday park, an inquest heard.
Paul Reynolds, 38, was held in a prone position for around 11 minutes with a knee to his back after an initial neck hold, a hearing in Ipswich recorded.
Jurors, who listened to evidence during a three-week hearing, found that the restraint methods were not “appropriate or proportionate” and that Mr Reynolds had not been physically violent.
He was restrained by security and other staff at Pontins in Pakefield near Lowestoft, Suffolk, until police arrived on the evening of February 14 2017.