A manhunt has been launched after two suitcases believed to contain human remains were found by police on Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol. Avon and Somerset Police said officers were called to reports of a man seen acting suspiciously at the bridge at 11.57pm on Wednesday. They arrived at the scene within ten minutes, but the man had already left the scene leaving the suitcase behind. A second suitcase was found nearby a short time later. Police said they have established that “the man was taken to the bridge in a taxi. This vehicle has been seized and the driver is helping us with our enquiries”. Acting Bristol Commander Vicks Hayward-Melen said: “This is a very disturbing incident and I fully recognise the concern it will be causing our communities. Our immediate priority is to locate the man who took the suitcases to the bridge, identify the deceased, and inform their next of kin.”
Bristol Clifton Suspension Bridge latest: Manhunt under as ‘human remains’ found in two suitcases
(Alamy Live News)
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A manhunt has been launched after two suitcases believed to contain human remains were found by police on Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol.
Avon and Somerset Police said officers were called to reports of a man seen acting suspiciously at the bridge at 11.57pm on Wednesday.
They arrived at the scene within ten minutes, but the man had already left the scene leaving the suitcase behind. A second suitcase was found nearby a short time later.
Police said they have established that “the man was taken to the bridge in a taxi. This vehicle has been seized and the driver is helping us with our enquiries”.
Acting Bristol Commander Vicks Hayward-Melen said: “This is a very disturbing incident and I fully recognise the concern it will be causing our communities.
“Our immediate priority is to locate the man who took the suitcases to the bridge, identify the deceased, and inform their next of kin.”
“An immediate search of the area was carried out by officers on the ground with the support of the National Police Air Service and HM Coastguard following the discovery of the suitcases. These searches remain ongoing.”
Key Points
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Image of suspect released
In a press conference at the scene in Bristol, police released an image of the man they are searching for after two suitcases believed to contain human remains were found at Clifton Suspension Bridge.
Acting Bristol commander Vicks Hayward-Melen said the man left in the direction of Leigh Woods.
(Alex Ross )(Alex Ross )
Maryam Zakir-Hussain11 July 2024 16:50
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People gather by Clifton Suspension Bridge
Alex Ross reports from Bristol:
Several people have gathered on the grass bank on the Clifton side of the Clifton Suspension Bridge intrigued over the press activity as we wait for the police press conference.
Daniel Heppner was in Bristol for a day from London with a friend, and went to see the bridge when he discovered it was closed.
He’s now waiting to hear what the police say as we expect an update on the investigation.
The 26-year-old said: “It is alarming that he hasn’t been found yet from what we know, and it’s very strange, what with him leaving suitcases like this.
“It feels like there is a lot more to this story than we know currently. I expect we’ll find out soon.”
(Alex Ross )
Maryam Zakir-Hussain11 July 2024 16:36
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As we wait for Avon and Somerset Police to give a press conference, it’s relatively peaceful here with the road over the Clifton Suspension Bridge, which carries around 11,000 vehicles each day, empty, Alex Ross reports from Bristol.
Police are stationed at tape either side of the bridge which links Clifton with Leigh Woods, taking pedestrians, cyclists and cars over the River Avon.
When the manhunt started there were searches of the area by police officers on the ground, as well as the national police air service and HM Coastguard.
But there is no sign of a search taking place here now.A white tent can be seen on the Leigh Woods side of the bridge outside the Clifton Suspension Bridge visitor centre.
Reports from an eye witness suggest the man fled on the Leigh Woods side of the bridge. As far as we know, he’s not been caught.
Questions for the police at the press conference will be where is the search taking place and have the human remains been identified.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain11 July 2024 16:27
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Our reporter Alex Ross is on the scene near Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol:
It has now been 15 hours since police received reports of a man with a suitcase behaving suspiciously on the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
When officers arrived, he had fled leaving a suitcase behind. A second suitcase was found a short time later.
Both cases are believed to have contained human remains. The bridge is still shut with a white forensic tent on the Leigh Woods side of the iconic bridge.
Forensic officers appear to no longer be here and police officers are here to guard the cordons at both ends of the bridge.
It is warm and the grass banks either side of the bridge on the Clifton side are filled with people sunbathing while the road leading to the bridge, usually busy with cars at this time of day, is empty.
(Alex Ross)(Alex Ross)
Maryam Zakir-Hussain11 July 2024 15:49
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MP for Bristol Central ‘deeply disturbed’ by discovery of human remains in suitcases
Carla Denyer, MP for Bristol Central, said she was “deeply disturbed” by the discovery of human remains in two suitcases at Clifton Suspension Bridge and thanked the police for their “swift action”.
The Green Party co-leader posted on X: “I am deeply disturbed by the horrifying discovery of human remains at Clifton Suspension Bridge overnight.
“Distressing events like this are unsettling for all of us who call Bristol home and are proud of our city.
“Thank you ASPolice for your swift action. I am in contact with authorities and will do anything I can to support a swift and thorough investigation.”
Maryam Zakir-Hussain11 July 2024 15:44
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Bristol: Everything we know as ‘human remains’ found in suitcases at Clifton Suspension Bridge
Arriving ten minutes later, officers said the man had fled and is suspected to have left behind a suitcase. A second suitcase with similar contents was found nearby after a short search of the area.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain11 July 2024 15:40
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Bristol Bridge Manhunt: Mapped
Maryam Zakir-Hussain11 July 2024 15:33
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Bridge staff raised alarm after seeing blood leak from suitcase
A neighbour told The Independent one suitcase was dumped on the bridge, with a second left in the bushes nearby, Amy-Clare Martin reports.
The local said bridge security staff raised the alarm after they saw blood coming out of the case.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain11 July 2024 15:13
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Eyewitness saw man being chased by cyclist as he ran from bridge staff
An eyewitness said they saw a man being chased by a cyclist on Clifton Suspension Bridge on Wednesday evening.
The person, who wished to remain anonymous, said they saw the man run down Burwalls, a residential lane leading to Rownham Hill.
They said there were two suitcases: the one left on the bridge appeared to have blood leaking from it, while the other suitcase was on the road just after the bridge on the Leigh Woods side.
The eyewitness added that the man who ran off was shouting in Spanish.
They told Bristol Live: “There was blood on the floor along the bridge.
“The man who had the cases ran from the bridge staff and I saw him being chased by a member of the public on a bike – he was shouting something in Spanish.”
Maryam Zakir-Hussain11 July 2024 14:57
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In pictures: The scene at Clifton Suspension Bridge
(PA)(PA)
Maryam Zakir-Hussain11 July 2024 14:34
Read the full story on www.independent.co.uk
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/clifton-suspension-bridge-human-remains-suitcase-manhunt-latest-b2578098.html
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