LATEST: A MAN has died during an industrial incident at a building site in Colchester.

Police and paramedics were called to the JR Pickstock site off Haven Road, the Hythe, shortly before 7.30am today.

Police confirmed, despite the best effort of paramedics, a man has died on the site. He has not yet been formally identified.

Officers are investigating the circumstances of the death and the Health and Safety Executive have been informed.

An ambulance, rapid response cars and an air ambulance were scrambled, with the helicopter landed at the Recreation Ground in Old Heath Road.

Det Insp Steve Jennings said: "We hope to identify the deceased some time this morning.

"We are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death and an inspector for the Health and Safety Executive will arrive shortly."

A spokesman for the ambulance service said: "We were called at 7.41am and sent an ambulance, rapid response vehicle, ambulance officer and the East Anglian Air Ambulance as a man had been injured on an industrial site.
 

“Sadly, despite the best efforts of our staff, he was declared dead at the scene.”

Ambulances left the scene at about 9.30am.

By 10am forensic experts had been called in to examine the body and the scene to try and ascertain the cause of death.

A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive confirmed they were liaising with Essex Police, who are leading the investigation.

The construction site has been closed down with builders slowly leaving the area visibly shocked by what has happened.

The site only re-opened after a Christmas break on Monday.

When finished the £35million development will include 700 student apartments, a gym, coffee shop and supermarket.