Murder inquiry launched into Ashington death

Jun 23 2009 by Robert Weatherall, The Journal

DETECTIVES who launched a murder investigation after the death of a young man are continuing to appeal for witnesses.

Detectives spent much of yesterday questioning three men who were arrested following a report of an altercation in the early hours of yesterday morning in Northumberland.

Officers responding to a 999 call discovered a 21-year-old man dying in the street in Bolam Drive, Ashington, shortly after midnight. Police haven’t elaborated on what type of injuries the man sustained other than to say he had a number of serious injuries. The 21-year-old, who hasn’t been named, was rushed to Wansbeck General Hospital. Despite the best efforts of medics he was pronounced dead.

A Home Office pathologist spent much of yesterday carrying out a post-mortem examination. Three men, two 19-year-olds and one aged 18, spent yesterday at undisclosed police stations being quizzed by detectives.

The man leading the investigation is Detective Chief Inspector Paul Young.

He believes passing members of the public could help to piece together the events surrounding the attack.

He said: “We are trying to build a picture of the events leading up to this incident. Even if people who were in the area at around midnight don’t think they have any relevant information we would still urge them to make contact to help us draw up a full picture of what happened.”