Tom Maynard death: IPCC refers case back to police

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has referred the case surrounding Surrey cricketer Tom Maynard's death back to Scotland Yard.

Cardiff-born Maynard, 23, was hit by a London Underground train on Monday.

The Metropolitan Police said a man matching his description ran away after a car being driven "erratically" was stopped about 50 minutes earlier.

The IPCC referred it back because pursuing officers lost sight of the man.

A statement said: "The IPCC has assessed the referral from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) regarding the death of a 23-year-old man.

"The police evidence is that at 4.13am officers saw a car being driven erratically which they followed.

"The driver then decamped and after a short chase on foot, officers lost sight of him and had no further contact. The man appears to have been hit by a train at 5.04am.

"In the circumstances the IPCC has referred this matter back to the MPS. British Transport Police will prepare a file for the coroner."

Maynard's death, which is not being treated as suspicious, was announced a day after he played for his county in the t20 game against Kent.

The Metropolitan Police said a man matching his description ran away after a black Mercedes C250 car being driven "erratically" was stopped in the early hours of Monday.

A force spokesman added: "At approximately 05:10 BST the body of a man fitting the same description was found on tracks near Wimbledon Park station."

Earlier on Tuesday, Maynard's family thanked the public for its support following the "devastating blow" of the 23-year-old's death.

In a statement issued through the British Transport Police, Maynard's family asked to be left to grieve in private.

His family including his father, former England batsman Matthew Maynard, who played for and later coached Glamorgan said: "The Maynard family would like to thank everyone for the many messages of support following Tom's tragic death in London yesterday morning.

"As you can appreciate, the news has come as a devastating blow and although the family is grateful for all the kind messages of sympathy, we would ask that we can be left to grieve in private at this very difficult and sad time for us."

Maynard's current club Surrey described him as "an incredibly talented young batsman".

The county along with former club Glamorgan, where he spent four years, have both postponed their respective Friends Life t20 games scheduled for Wednesday.

Surrey's flag flew at half-mast at its Oval ground where England were playing the West Indies in a one-day match.

Both sides wore black arm bands as a mark of respect for the match and there was a minute's silence.

Flowers and shirts have been left outside both Surrey and Glamorgan's ground.