YOUNG DAD DIES 6 DAYS AFTER POLICE USE FORCE AND SPRAY ON HIM AS FAMILY SAY HIS NECK WAS BROKEN IN 2 PLACES

Edir Frederico Da Costa, known as Edson, died in hospital six days after he was stopped in a car

Edson, 25, came to Britain in 1996 and was father to a young son.

A dad who died after police used 'force' and CS spray during his arrest had a broken neck, his family claim.

Edir Frederico Da Costa, known as Edson, was in a car with two others when it was stopped by officers from the Metropolitan Police in Newham, East London.

His father claims police suspected the car had been involved in a robbery.

Ginario da Costa told a Portuguese news agency his son, 25, insisted he had done nothing and resisted.

Mr Da Costa said friends had told him: "He fell to the ground and a policeman put a knee on his throat."

According to the police watchdog the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) which is investigating, Edson became "unwell" during his arrest.

Paramedics were called and witnesses said CPR was performed at the scene.

Edson was taken to hospital where he remained in a coma on a life support machine until he died six days later.

The IPCC is appealing for witnesses to come forward.

The incident happened at around 10pm on June 15 on Woodcocks, off Tollgate Road in Beckton.

A post-mortem exam was carried out on Thursday and the IPCC said: "The pathologist concluded there were no injuries to suggest severe force was used.

"Further investigations will be undertaken by the pathologist to establish the cause of death."

But Edson's friends and family claim excessive force was used during the arrest and are demanding answers under the hashtag #JusticeForEdson.

They claim he suffered a catalogue of serious injuries including a neck broken in two places, a fractured skull and a ruptured bladder.

His cousin Larissa Dos Santos wrote on Facebook: "I really hope you guys dont think this is in America, this was in East LONDON, Beckton, when he was brutally beaten to death and left in the hospital NAMELESS and in a coma."

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help his family with funeral and legal expenses.

Edson, who was originally from Portugal and moved to Britain in 1996, was father to a young son.

The IPCC says it sent investigators to the scene and officers provided initial accounts on the night of the incident.

The incident is now being investigated by the IPCC which is appealing for witnesses to come forward by emailing

woodcocksroad@ipcc.gsi.gov.uk or calling 0800 096 9073.