Death of Richard Mannington Bowes

Richard Mannington Bowes was a 68-year-old retired accountant who died as a result of being attacked in the street in Ealing, London. He was the fifth fatality of the 2011 England riots.
Bowes was attacked by members of a mob on 8 August 2011, while attempting to extinguish a fire that had been deliberately started in industrial bins on Spring Bridge Road. The attack inflicted severe head injuries which resulted in a coma. The assault was caught on CCTV and filmed on mobile phones by associates of the man who hit him.
Police officers arrived at 10:45pm in response to reports of looting at the Arcadia shopping centre. They were not wearing protective gear, and were massively outnumbered by approximately 120 rioters. The attack on Bowes was witnesssed by several police officers, but they were unable to respond in time. They requested assistance as they were showered with missiles, including bottles and bricks. Riot squad officers who responded to the call for assistance had to push back the rioters while being attacked in order to reach Bowes. A line of officers then held back the rioters as paramedics arrived.
Bowes was found without a wallet or phone as they had been stolen. Police initially faced difficulty in identifying him. He died of his injuries in hospital on 11 August 2011 after being removed from life support.
A 22-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder, rioting and committing three burglaries.
Background
Originally from Bournemouth, Bowes lived alone in a flat in Haven Green, a neighbourhood of Ealing.
Reaction
Revulsion at Bowes' death has been widespread. His local council is considering naming the alleyway where he was attacked after him.
Bowes has been hailed as a hero for his actions by the media and politicians. Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, has been particularly vocal:"I feel desperately sorry and sad for him, and what a hero he is. He walked straight up in front of the looters and tried to stop what was happening. He is an example to everybody."

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