A MAN has been found dead in a town centre car park.

Emergency services were called to St Mary's car park, in Balkerne Hill, Colchester, at about 8.55am this morning.

Detectives are still trying to establish the circumstances around the man's death and the cause. 

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

Anyone with a vehicle parked in the car park will not be able to access it for "some time".

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

Anyone with information in the incident should contact Essex Police on 101 quoting incident 224 of 23/04. 

Witnesses have reported up to five police cars and a number of ambulances at the scene. 

An Essex Police spokesman said: "We have closed a car park after man was found deceased within St Mary’s car park on Balkerne Hill, Colchester, at around 8.55am today, Monday, April 23.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

"We are carrying out enquiries to establish the circumstances and the cause of his death. 

"Those persons who have parked in the car park will not be able to access their vehicles for some time whilst we carry out early investigations."

Colchester Council has tweeted to say no penalty charge notices will be issued in St Mary's car park today.


An East of England Ambulance Service Trust spokesman said: "At 8.56am [we] received a call from our colleagues at Essex Police to attend an incident in Balkerne Hill, Colchester to reports of a man who was not breathing.

"We dispatched an ambulance, a rapid response vehicle and an ambulance officer; Sadly the man was pronounced dead at the scene."