Henry Nowak Bled to Death After Police Took Eight Minutes to Discover Stab Wound

Henry Nowak, a 20-year-old Southampton student, tragically died from a stab wound after Hampshire Police officers detained him on the ground, taking eight minutes to discover his critical injury. An inquest heard that Mr Nowak was restrained while bleeding, handcuffed, and face-down, before officers located the wound.

The incident, which occurred in October 2022, saw Mr Nowak collapsing in the street following a night out. Emergency services were called, with officers arriving to find him unresponsive. Despite his evident distress, police initially treated the situation as a drug overdose, restraining him due to perceived aggression. Only after an eight-minute delay did they realise he had been stabbed. He was subsequently taken to hospital but died from his injuries.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed that two police officers and a sergeant are under investigation for potential gross misconduct. The IOPC's probe will examine the officers' actions and decision-making during the critical period. This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding police protocols for identifying and responding to severe injuries during detainment, particularly when initial assessments prove inaccurate.