Youngsters who stumbled on a body while playing in a Basildon wood were today praised for their cool reaction to the horrific discovery.
The boys, all in their early teens, were said by police to be "very shaken" and were recovering at their homes as police investigated.
Essex Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the man's death, although a post mortem examination was due to be carried out to establish the cause.
Grim find - police investigate the scene where children discovered the body of a man Picture: ROB WELHAM
Six youngsters were enjoying their holidays when they found the body in a copse at the junction of Broadmayne and Church Road, Basildon.
They immediately called the police and stood out on the road to flag down the police cars and the ambulance.
They then led officers and paramedics to the scene where the body lay face down in the mud. The body has been taken to Basildon Hospital.
More in today's Evening Echo
Published Wednesday August 21, 2002
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