Neighbours hear 'almighty crash' where man was found dead as murder probe launched

Neighbours have been left 'floored' after a murder investigation was launched over the death of a 77-year-old man. Residents living close to the scene heard an 'almighty crash' before seeing 'flashing blue lights' arrive.

Emergency services were called out to Clipsley Lane in Haydock, St Helens, at around 10.10pm on Tuesday (October 29). It was reported the pensioner had suffered a head injury, but he was tragically found dead inside the property.

A 33-year-old man from Haydock was arrested on suspicion of murder and is in custody for questioning. Neighbours told the Liverpool Echo that police had been parked up outside the house for 48 hours.

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One neighbour, who has lived on Clipsley Lane for 38 years, said: "It's really sad. Shocking to be honest. It's not something you think is going to happen on your doorstep."

He added: "It's absolutely floored us. I knew him well. We've just been talking about it again. It's been awful. It's been absolutely awful.

"I'd gone to bed because I wasn't feeling very well. My son came in to ask me to turn the telly off because I'd fallen asleep with it on. As he came out of his room, he saw blue lights coming up the road. He looked out and saw an ambulance outside.

"At half 12 I woke up coughing and I opened the window to get some fresh air. I saw some movement below and the police were there and it's been like that ever since Tuesday. They've been coming and going. It's heart-breaking."

The neighbour said their son came home from work and heard an 'almighty crash'. He said: "I heard an almighty crash and then nothing and went to sleep."

A member of staff in Sam's Wines shop nearby added: "I heard loud sirens and there were a lot of flashing blue lights. The police and an ambulance were outside."

Detective Inspector Yoseph Al-Ramadhan, of Merseyside Police, said: "This was a tragic incident in which a man has sadly lost his life. An investigation is now underway, which is in the very early stages as we seek to establish what has happened which has led to this tragic incident."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police's on X @MerPolCC, Facebook at Merseyside Police CC or by calling 101, quoting reference 24000920373. Information can also be sent to the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.