A MAN has died at Colchester General Hospital following an alleged attack in Dovercourt.

Mark Woodard, 49, of Colchester Road, Wix, suffered serious head injuries during an incident at a home in Dovercourt.

He was rushed to Colchester General Hospital but died the next day.

Two men were arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm.

The alleged victim subsequently died.

Paramedics were called to a property in Cliff Road at 4.12pm on Saturday.

The caller said a man had suffered a fall.

Two ambulance crews, a rapid response vehicle and a community first responder raced to the scene.

Paramedics arrived to find a man who was unconscious but breathing.

He was taken by ambulance to Colchester General Hospital.

During the journey he suffered a cardiac arrest but was kept alive and received emergency care at the hospital.

Suspicions were later raised about how he was injured.

Police were called at 11pm following a report a man had been taken to Colchester General Hospital with life threatening injuries.

It was alleged they were caused during an assault at a house in Cliff Road.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "The 49-year-old from Colchester suffered head injuries and died in hospital on the evening of Sunday, November 15.

"His death is being treated as suspicious."

Two men have been arrested.

A 19-year-old and a 47-year-old, both from Dovercourt have been questioned by detectives.

Both have been released on bail until January while investigations continue.

An inquest into his death was opened yesterday by Her Majesty's Coroner Eleanor McGann at the Coroner's Court in Chelmsford.

It has been adjourned while police continue to investigate.

The inquest heard he died as a result of head injuries after a scan revealed irreparable brain damage.

Essex Police did not initially release any details of the incident although it happened almost a week ago.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

 

TRIBUTES have been paid to Mr Woodard by his father-in-law.

Robin Carsberg’s daughter was married to Mr Woodard until she sadly died on cancer in December last year.

The couple wed in April 2014 after meeting close to four years ago.

Mr Carsberg said: “They pooled their resources together and bought a house in Wix, which is where he has been living ever since.

“He was a very warm, outgoing and friendly sort of chap.

“He was very keen on fishing and often went down to Harwich and Dovercourt and the coast near there both with my daughter and by himself.

“I know he made lots of friends when walking his dog Teddy in the village.”

Mr Woodard work as a self-employed gardener and was also a qualified mechanic.

Mr Carsberg added: “It is a terrible situation because he was just starting to get on with his life after the passing of my daughter.

“I know he had found it incredibly difficult.

“He was just starting to get out and about and begin to make new friends.”