Tragedy of man who died outside police station an hour after his release from custody

A man died when he was hit by a black cab outside a police station just an hour after he was released from custody there, an inquest heard.

Michael Rochford, 66, was struck on the southbound carriageway of Stockport Road in Longsight at around 2.10am on Saturday, December 8, 2018.

An inquest into his death at Manchester Coroner's Court heard he was sat down in a bus and taxi lane around 200 metres from the station at the time. Despite the best efforts of paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

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The hackney carriage driver said in a statement he was 'deeply shocked and saddened', but could do nothing to avoid Mr Rochford.

He described it as an 'unavoidable accident' - and the court heard no criminal charges were brought against him.

Mr Rochford, from Beswick, one of six siblings, was released from custody at the station at around 1am having received a fixed penalty notice.

The inquest heard he had a history of physical and mental health problems, and of drinking alcohol to excess on some occasions.

His family said they had concerns over his release from custody in the early hours in the rain, but senior coroner Nigel Meadows said after a four-day inquest he found there was no 'systemic failure'.

The court heard he was given directions to a bus stop and Mr Rochford said he intended to go to a homeless shelter in Ancoats.

Mr Rochford was arrested outside a bar in the Northern Quarter on the Friday night, the court heard.

Police officers, the inquest heard, found him 'shouting at the public' and he was also in possession of prescribed drugs.

He smelt of alcohol, officers said, but did not appear drunk, and was 'calm, co-operative' and able to talk with the officers involved.

Mr Meadows said he found a