A man has sustained serious injuries which may be life-changing as he fell after being sprayed by a substance similar to pepper spray.

On Sunday, a 28-year-old man who was believed to be a missing person was reportedly behaving "erratically and aggressively" as concern grew for his welfare.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) was called out to Woodend Lane in the Hyde area of Tameside at 12.30pm where officers used PAVA, an incapacitant spray similar to pepper spray, "as a means of de-escalating the situation".

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But the spray "did not have the desired effect", the force said, as the man instead managed to make his way to a nearby scrapyard where he climbed the arm of a digger and fell.

During the fall, he sustained serious injuries and was taken to hospital for specialist treatment.

Although his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, they could be life-changing.

The incident has now been passed over to GMP's professional standards branch to review.

Superintendent Mike Allen, head of GMP's Professional Standards Branch, added: “In line with procedure, this matter was immediately reported to Greater Manchester Police's Professional Standards Branch and referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct for review.

“IOPC have determined not to carry out an independent enquiry at this time and as such the investigation into the serious injuries sustained will remain with GMP’s Professional Standards Branch.

“The investigation is ongoing however initial enquiries give no indication that officers from GMP behaved inappropriately.

"A full and thorough review of all the circumstances surrounding this incident will be carried out and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time until this is complete.”

An ambulance and fire engines were also seen in the area around the time of the incident as the scrapyard was cordoned off.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service confirmed two fire engines from Ashton and Hyde, along with a Technical Response Unit from Ashton and Water Incident Unit from Eccles, were called just before 1pm to the scene.

The spokesperson added: “Crews arrived quickly at the scene and were in attendance for around two hours."

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