A body has been found in the upper reaches of the River Medina in the centre of Newport this morning (Tuesday).
Police have cordoned off an area of riverbank on Holyrood Street, near to Lidl Supermarket. They were alerted to the discovery at 11:20.
The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service has mobilised 1 fire appliance from Newport Fire Station to the incident to assist colleagues from the Police.
HM Coastguard has also been tasked to the incident with The Needles and Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Teams arriving on the scene.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) from Hampshire Police are investigating with detectives looking into the circumstances of the incident. The death is being treated as unexplained at this time.
UPDATE @ 12:25 – An Aerial Ladder Platform (ALP) from Newport Fire Station has now arrived on the scene and is being utilised to access the river.
Firefighters and Coastguard Officers are being lowered down onto the river bed with specialist water rescue equipment being utilised.
The area remains cordoned off but all roads are open to traffic.
UPDATE @ 12:50 – Hampshire Constabulary has released a statement this afternoon.
A spokesperson has said:
“Officers are on scene after a body was located in the water near LIDL, Newport, at 11:20.
“The death is being treated as unexplained and emergency services are on scene.”
UPDATE @ 13:30 – The body has now been recovered by emergency service personnel using an inflatable platform and the aerial ladder platform.
Police are yet to confirm the identity of the individual.
The incident is now being scaled back with resources expected to leave the scene in due course.
UPDATE @ 16:28 – Police have confirmed that the body is that of a man in his 50s. The death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious.
His next of kin have been informed and a file is being prepared for the Coroner.
How sad
How horrid for the loved ones of the person. Terrible times unthinkable only a short while ago.
This is awful to many body’s showing up now
rip!
RIP
RIP
Some poor sod RIP in the river and all these services turn up. Why??
Why not?
It was a technical recovery. The deceased was not in open water but needed a technical recovery and was not clear which specialist team would be suitable. 10 minutes after the pictures were taken there may have only been 6.
Before the usual b.s starts on here, just remember, whoever they are, whatever their age, that’s someone’s loved one in that river. Have some bloody respect.
Chil bro, all are respectful thus far.
We all respect the families pain.
Yet unusual deaths are bound to create questions, and often on here the updates are not forthcoming, so people worry and are curious.
Pointless just a hundred RIP’s we all wish that, goes without saying.
Well said mate
Moaning for nothing. “Usual b.stard” behaviour. Not even waiting for the b.stard bros.
Total respect for the family at this sad time but none for some faceless wonder who has decided that they are in such an elevated position that they can tell everyone else how to conduct themselves. Holier than thou prick.
So so sad… I hope that their family will get help that they need. Rip
R.i.p.
Thoughts are with his family at this sad time.
My heart goes out to this poor man’s family. RIP
Poor man and his family. Heartbreaking.