Man dies after being found in canal near West Bromwich by emergency services
A man's body was pulled from an area of canal on the outskirts of West Bromwich in the early hours of the morning.
The area of canal near New Gas Street was closed off from the bridge at New Gas Street to the car park for Black Lake Metro stop after the body of the man was discovered in the water at around 7.45am.
Officers from West Midlands Police could be seen at the scene, as well as ambulance crews from West Midlands Ambulance Service, for several hours after the discovery of the body, which was rescued from the water by members of West Midlands Fire Service.
West Midlands Police confirmed that the death was not being treated as suspicious and was preparing a file for the coroner.
One resident whose house on Bells Moor Road is near the canal path said she had seen lots of police at the scene, but was still trying to find out what had happened hours later.
She said: "I woke up this morning and saw lots of police cars on the bridge and along the canal path, but they weren't telling me anything and I didn't know what was going on.
"The canal isn't dangerous or badly lit, so if someone has gone in the water, it's a bit surprising."
A spokeswoman for West Midlands Police said: "This morning (July 16), a man's body was found in a canal off New Gas Street, West Bromwich.
"His death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner."
A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "We were called to reports of a patient in the water, near to the junction of New Gas Street and New Swan Lane at 7.45am.
"Two ambulances, a paramedic officer, a MERIT trauma doctor with a Critical Care Paramedic and the Trust’s Hazardous Area Response Team attended the scene.
"On arrival we discovered one patient, a man, who had been rescued from the water by fire service colleagues.
"Sadly, it quickly became apparent nothing could be done to save him and he was confirmed dead at the scene."
A spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service said: "Shortly after 7.45am on Wednesday, we responded to New Gas Street in West Bromwich.
"A fire engine from West Bromwich and a fire engine from Tipton attended.
"Crews were supported by specialist technical rescue firefighters.
"Firefighters retrieved the body of a man, who was found in a nearby canal.
"Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this incident."
