Staffordshire man dies after being found with mystery injuries
A man has died hours after he was found lying in broad daylight in a Cannock street with severe head injuries.
Police have launched an investigation and are appealing for witnesses in order to explain the tragedy.
Paul Cross, from Norton Canes, was taken to hospital where doctors battled to save his life but he died the following day.
The 55-year-old was found lying in Harrison Road, a suburban cul-de-sac in Bridgtown, with serious head injuries early on Thursday evening.
Detectives have scanned CCTV footage from the nearby Sahota Superstore in St John's Road and carried out door-to-door inquiries.
Mr Cross was found collapsed at the top of the cul-de-sac, beside a gullyway, a shortcut to Keble Close which leads on to the main A34 Walsall Road.
Residents in Harrison Road were today reeling from the discovery. The normally lively street was deserted at the time Mr Cross was found.
Joanne Powell returned from visiting her mother just after 7pm to find the emergency services at the scene and the area near the gully cordoned off.
The mother-of-four said: "No one was about, it's weird. Normally everyone's out on the street. It's that sort of place, we're all like family. The kids play outside and we all look out for each other.
"The police say he was at flats about 20 minutes away and walked here before being found.
"He was lying near a child's bike that was on the ground and when I first saw him I thought he might have tripped and hit his head the bike."
She said a metal pole was discovered not far from where the victim lay. She said it was bagged up and taken away by officers for examination.
Mr Cross, who lived in Jerome Drive, Norton Canes, was taken to the University Hospital in North Staffordshire in Stoke, where he died on Friday.
Police have also interviewed residents living in nearby Lilac Avenue and Hampton Street as part of their investigation.
Ms Powell, aged 31, said: "It's a bit concerning that the police still don't know what's happened. They've come and knocked on my door four times but I can't tell them anything else.
"Now people are scared to let their kids out."
Another woman, who lives in adjoining St John's Avenue, said: "I was brought up in this road and it's scary to think an attack might have taken place round here. It's not nice to think about."
Anyone with information should call police on 101.
