Man dies after falling from bridge at Wolverhampton canal

Police and ambulance crews were called to the Autherley Junction on Oxley Moor Road, Oxley at the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal, at around 11.40am yesterday.

The death is not being treated as suspicious.

A statement from West Midlands Police said: "A man, believed to be in 50s, has died after falling from an Oxley bridge.

"Enquiries are on-going although the man's death is not believed to be suspicious and will be referred to the city's coroner in due course."

Passers-by spoke of their shock of the incident.

Michael Downs, whose boat had broken down near where the fall had taken place, said he was repairing the engine of his boat at the time it happened.

The 73-year-old said: "The police lady told me there had been an incident but at first I just thought it was kids messing about on the road.

"It's horrible what has happened. It must be a real shame of events for someone to do that, if that is the case."

Katie Lane, 26, a nearby resident, said: "I'm shocked to hear what's happened. It's usually fairly quiet around here, I've not known anything like this to happen since I've lived here."