Castle Park: Community saddened after man is found dead in children's play area

Officers were called with concerns for the welfare of a man seen in Kings Meadow play area in Lower Castle Park this morning.

Police officers arrived at the park, but found the man had died.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “We were called with concerns for the welfare of a man in Kings Meadow, in Colchester, shortly after 5.10am.

“We arrived and sadly found a man had died.

“There are no suspicious circumstances around his death and a file will be prepared for the coroner.”

The area was cordoned off to members of the public until about 10.20am.

Officers remained at the scene following the removal of the police tape.

They thanked the public for their patience while the cordon was in place.

A spokesman for Colchester Council said two council workers and a resident tried to help the man until the police arrived.

He added: “We are saddened by the tragic event in Kings Meadow playground.

“Two members of our staff and a member of the public attempted to help the man until the emergency services arrived, after he was found in the area soon after 5am.

“Our sympathies go out to the family and friends of the man, and we are ensuring the members of staff who found and attempted to help him are also being offered support at this difficult time.

“The matter is now a police issue and we will continue to assist with their investigation.”

Simon Crow, who represents Castle ward on Colchester Council, said the discovery of the man’s body is a tragedy.

He added: “I was shocked and very sad to hear the news about this terrible tragedy in the park this morning.

“My thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to his family.

“Thankfully events like this are extremely rare.”

The scenes at the park yesterday morning upset passers-by who were taking their children to primary school.

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