大象传媒

Summary

  • A manhunt is launched after two suitcases containing human remains are found at the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol

  • Officers were called to the bridge late on Wednesday to a man acting suspiciously on the bridge

  • When police arrived 10 minutes later, the man had fled leaving the two suitcases at the scene

  • CCTV of the man has been released by police, who described him as black, with a beard

  • Detectives "not aware of any current risk to the wider public" but anyone who sees him is asked to call 999

  1. Police give description of man they are searching forpublished at 16:47 British Summer Time 11 July

    Police described the man they are searching for as black, with a beard.

    He was pictured wearing an Adidas baseball cap, black trainers with thick white soles.

    He was also wearing a gold earring and carrying a black backpack.

  2. Press conference about to beginpublished at 16:45 British Summer Time 11 July

    The police press conference is about to start.

    We'll bring you all the details of what is said here.

  3. Update expected within 30 minutespublished at 16:30 British Summer Time 11 July

    A press conference by the Clifton Suspension Bridge is set to be held within 30 minutes by Avon and Somerset Police.

  4. 'Guards advised us to leave'published at 16:29 British Summer Time 11 July

    Mr Wright said he could see that the wheels had broken off one of the suitcases.

    "They (police) found the other suitcase which was when I realised what I saw definitely wasn鈥檛 a traffic box it was a suitcase.

    "The (bridge) toll guard asked which way we were going and advised us to leave before the bridge closed."

  5. 'Man chased by cyclist' - eyewitnesspublished at 16:28 British Summer Time 11 July

    Mr Wright said he "heard commotion" behind him and saw a cyclist "chasing a man".

    "I thought this was all strange and odd but tried to remain calm," Mr Wright said.

    "I could see the cyclist had reached the guy down the hill and they had a quick interaction.

    "We saw that and then turned around and walked back the way we came.

    "Then the cyclist came back towards us alone when we got back to the Leigh Woods side of the bridge."

  6. 'I tried to remain calm'published at 16:21 British Summer Time 11 July

    Witness Reece Wright told the 大象传媒 he was with his partner when he saw the suitcase.

    "We started walking towards the Leigh Woods side towards Burwalls when we saw another suitcase, a silver one.

    "I thought it was a bit odd. I tried to remain calm. I thought it was a temporary traffic light electric box."

  7. 'Frightening experience' - eyewitnesspublished at 16:18 British Summer Time 11 July

    Suspension bridge toll guards wearing hi-vis clothing with pavement in foregroundImage source, Reece Wright

    University of Bristol student, Reece Wright, was walking near the bridge on Wednesday night and told the 大象传媒 he had seen one of the suitcases.

    "It was all very unexpected. I was trying to rationalise it when I saw the blood", said the 20-year-old.

    "I thought someone had had a fight and then saw the suitcase and thought it was weird.

    "It was a frightening experience, but you don鈥檛 realise that at the time.

    "As I sat on the bridge after, I realised it was something bigger.

    "I just moved into Clifton recently in my second year at university. I never expected to see anything like this."

  8. 'Neighbours horrified'published at 16:06 British Summer Time 11 July

    Steve Knibbs
    大象传媒 West

    Police cordon
    Image caption,

    Officer carries evidence bag inside police cordon

    I鈥檓 on the Leigh Woods side of the bridge. In the last hour several forensic vans have left. Officers were seen putting evidence bags inside. It seems the main search and evidence gathering operation here has paused for the moment.

    Neighbours are coming out of their houses and asking me what鈥檚 going on as police at the cordon aren鈥檛 allowed to say anything. The people I鈥檝e spoken to didn鈥檛 see anything last night. They did hear the police helicopter from around 12:20 BST and say they鈥檙e horrified at what happened

    There are many people turning up hoping to get over the bridge but soon realising it鈥檒l be closed for most of the day.

    So for now it鈥檚 quiet as we await the police press conference on the other side of the bridge.

    Forensic van leaves
    Image caption,

    Forensics van leaves

  9. 'Concerning for local people' - PCCpublished at 16:02 British Summer Time 11 July

    Avon and Somerset's Police and Crime Commissioner, Clare Moody, has called the incident "distressing and disturbing" for local people.

    "I have been fully briefed by Avon and Somerset Police about this incident and I can confirm they are focusing resources on locating the man they are seeking and identifying the remains and informing the family members," she added.

  10. Where is the crime scene in Bristol?published at 15:57 British Summer Time 11 July

    Map showing where the incident happened on Clifton Suspension Bridge

    As we've heard, police have closed the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol in both directions, where cordons are in place around the crime scene.

    Officers were called to the city's historic bridge at 23:57 BST on Wednesday.

    The bridge connects Clifton in Bristol and Leigh Woods in North Somerset.

  11. 'Deeply disturbed by horrific discovery' - MPpublished at 15:52 British Summer Time 11 July

    Writing on , Bristol Central MP Carla Denyer said: "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."

    She thanked Avon and Somerset Police for its "swift action".

  12. What we know so farpublished at 15:48 British Summer Time 11 July

    Our reporter Steve Knibbs is at the scene where police officers have closed the roads around the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

    You can click on the video below to see Steve run through what we know so far.

  13. 'Helicopter circling again'published at 15:46 British Summer Time 11 July

    Beth Cruse
    大象传媒 News, West of England

    It's a waiting game at the Bristol side of the suspension bridge where members of the media are awaiting a press conference from police which is due to happen sometime after 15:45 BST.

    Members of the public are being turned away from the bridge, however the observatory point is still open as is the suspension bridge playground.

    A helicopter has just begun circling again.

  14. 'Very disturbing incident'published at 15:44 British Summer Time 11 July

    A police car blocking the road entrance to the bridge on the Bristol side
    Image caption,

    The bridge has been closed this last night and is blocked off with police vehicles and tape

    Acting Bristol Commander at Avon and Somerset Police Vicks Hayward-Melen said it was 鈥渁 very disturbing incident" and she recognised the concern it would cause in the area.

    鈥淭he investigation is being led by our Major Crime Investigation Team and involves specialist officers and staff from across our organisation.

    鈥淥ur immediate priority is to locate the man who took the suitcases to the bridge, identify the deceased, and inform their next of kin.

    鈥淪pecialist officers are ready to provide them with any support they need.

    鈥淭here is currently an increased police presence in the area and anyone who has concerns is encouraged to speak to an officer.鈥

  15. Search helicopter's flight path over citypublished at 15:39 British Summer Time 11 July

    The search helicopter's flight path from South Gloucestershire to BristolImage source, ADS-B Exchange

    A helicopter deployed as part of the search circled the area around the Clifton Suspension Bridge at about 00:58 BST on Thursday.

    Flight tracking website ADS-B shows the helicopter flew above the Hotwells, Clifton and Bedminster parts of the city, among others, and Ashton Court and Leigh Woods in North Somerset.

    The search helicopter's flight path above the area in Bristol and North SomersetImage source, ADS-B Exchange
  16. Police press conference expected soonpublished at 15:35 British Summer Time 11 July

    Avon and Somerset Police are expected to give an update on the investigation at some time after 15:45 BST in a press conference at the bridge.

    We'll bring you all the details from that when it begins.

  17. Roads expected to remain closed all daypublished at 15:32 British Summer Time 11 July

    The roads around the bridge, as well as surrounding footpaths, remain closed while investigators examine the area.

    They are expected to be closed all day.

  18. 'Cars and pedestrians turned away'published at 15:29 British Summer Time 11 July

    Beth Cruse
    大象传媒 News, West of England

    Police tape blocks a pathway near the bridge on the Bristol side.
    Image caption,

    The pathway and road to the bridge on the Bristol side is blocked off with police tape

    I鈥檓 standing on Suspension Bridge Road which is currently completely blocked off to traffic on the Bristol side with cars and pedestrians being turned away.

    There are about three police officers stationed on this side of the bridge and a helicopter is circling the area.

    Children are playing outside near the bridge at the playground.

  19. Man arrived at bridge in taxipublished at 15:26 British Summer Time 11 July

    The road is closed on the approach to the bridge

    Avon and Somerset Police's initial enquiries have established that the man they are searching for was taken to the bridge in a taxi.

    The force said that the vehicle had been seized and the driver is helping officers.

  20. Second suitcase found 'short time later'published at 15:24 British Summer Time 11 July

    A police car with tape closing the road

    Officers then discovered a second suitcase a short time later.

    Police believe both contain human remains.

    Acting Bristol Commander Vicks Hayward-Melen said a post-mortem examination would take place later on Thursday.