A GREENOCK man who died in police custody choked after swallowing crack cocaine and heroin when he was stopped for a drugs search, a fatal accident inquiry (FAI) has found.

John Rice, who was 55 at the time of his death on February 10, 2021, was detained and arrested by officers in the town's Well Park having been suspected of dealing illegal substances on nearby Bank Street.

Mr Rice, who had more than 20 previous convictions including a number for drug offences, ingested several wraps containing 'small white rocks' - which later tested positive for crack cocaine - weighing 8.5 grams.

Mr Rice was rushed to hospital after taking unwell whilst being stopped by policeMr Rice was rushed to hospital after taking unwell whilst being stopped by police

The plastic packages became stuck in his throat and he later suffered a cardiac arrest before passing away at Inverclyde Royal Hospital - despite emergency efforts by police and paramedics to save him at the scene.

Officers initiated the Heimlich manoeuvre and CPR was carried out, however, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation was not attempted due to the risk of Covid-19 infection.

The outcome of the FAI, published earlier this year after hearings at Greenock Sheriff Court, revealed Mr Rice's cause of death to be 'choking on a foreign object' and heart disease.

Greenock Sheriff CourtGreenock Sheriff Court (Image: newsquest)

A determination, by Sheriff Principal Sean Murphy KC, said: "The death of Mr Rice unfortunately occurred because when he was being approached by the police he swallowed several packages of drugs one of which lodged in his left main bronchia, causing him to choke.

"His pre-existing heart disease contributed to his death.

"It is not possible to determine whether the presence of other drugs within his system contributed to his death to any significant extent.

A mandatory fatal accident inquiry took place following the death in police custodyA mandatory fatal accident inquiry took place following the death in police custody

"The actions of the police officers at the scene reflect real concern for Mr Rice and they are to be commended for their appraisal of the situation and their sustained attempts to assist him pending the arrival of the paramedical ambulance crew."

The sheriff principal ruled that no formal recommendations should be made in the 'unfortunate case'.

He said: "All parties at the inquiry expressed condolences to the family of Mr Rice and to these I add my own condolences."