Totterdown residents in shock after teenager's body found in park

TOTTERDOWN residents have reacted with shock and sadness after the body of a young man was found in a children's play park.

The teenager, who is believed to have taken his own life, was discovered by a dog walker at 7.30am yesterday.

Police were quickly on the scene and cordoned off School Road, pictured, while investigations were carried out for around two hours.

Officers said the death of the young man, who was described as having lived in the local area, was being treated as sudden but not suspicious.

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A spokeswoman for Avon and Somerset police said the body was that of a male aged either 18 or 19.

They said the parents had been informed but that official identification had not yet been carried out.

Steve Purnell, who runs Langdon Motors in School Road, said: "It's awful – a great tragedy for the community and a lot of people are shocked by what has happened.

"I was speaking to a couple of ladies whose children play in the park and they were very upset.

"We have heard it was a young man and all you can think is that he had his life in front of him."

Mr Langdon said another man who lived in School Road had seen the body that morning but at the time believed it was a mannequin.

He said that, although initially the road was closed, police dealt with the situation in around two hours.

"When I got to work the fire brigade was here and the road was closed but they allowed me to get in so I could answer the phones and let people know I could not get cars in or out.

"Later CID arrived and did their investigations but the road was re-opened by 9.30am."

Andrew Maxwell lives in nearby Goolden Street and noticed police and ambulance at the scene.

"As I came out of my house on Goolden Street at about 8.40am the police had sealed off the little park at the end of the road, and sealed off School Road," he said.

"A group of policemen and what looked like detectives were crowded around a large object covered by a blue tarpaulin.

"It is certainly strange having that happen right next to our house and a bit of a shock.

"My thoughts are with his friends and loved ones."

Ward councillor for the area Mark Bailey (Windmill Hill, Lib Dem) said he was shocked at learning of the young man's death.

"It is an absolute tragedy for the community and my heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of this young man," he said.

"How parents cope with news like that I don't know, and my thoughts are with them."