UPDATE: Man dies following CS Spray arrest in Belfast

A man has died in hospital after an incident involving police in Belfast City centre.

Officers were called to Great Victoria Street on Thursday morning following reports of a man in his underwear acting violently.

During the incident police officers used CS Spray against the man who later became unwell.

He received medical attention at the scene before being transferred to hospital where he later passed away.

Paul Murphy from Police Ombudsman office says CS Spray was used during arrest of violent man this am @qnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/ksZDwu7jYE

— Maria McCann (@journomaria) September 8, 2016

North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly is a member of the policing board and named the man as Gerard McMahon. 

"My thoughts are with his family at this tragic time." said Mr.Kelly

“I have been in touch with senior police today about the circumstances which led to Gerard being rushed to hospital.

“The Police Ombudsman has already launched an investigation into the detention of Gerard McMahon.

“That investigation must be thorough so that his grieving family get the full facts as quickly as possible about the circumstances which led to his death.”

Police Ombudsman investigators have been at the scene from early morning.

The area was cordoned off and a section of the road closed for a time.

Investigators have mapped and photographed the scene, CCTV footage has been recovered and enquiries are ongoing to acquire further footage.

A number of witnesses have been spoken to, including taxi drivers who reported altercations with a man in the city centre at the time.

The Police Ombudsman office has issued an appeal for anyone else who was in the area at the time and may have seen what happened, to contact them.

"Violent male" in the area around 5 this morning. He's been arrested and taken to hospital @qnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/ezgtgjvyqP

— Maria McCann (@journomaria) September 8, 2016