11.30am: Police are appealing for information after a Threshfeld man died from head injuries following an incident in Skipton.

North Yorkshire Police were called at 6.45pm on the night of Thursday 9 January 2014 after the man was found with serious head injuries at the bottom of some steps which lead to Gas Street.

The man, who is aged 68, was taken to Airedale Hospital where he sadly died later in the evening.

At this stage his death remains unexplained and police have cordoned off the area to allow a full examination of the scene. An investigation is underway to establish how the man came to sustain his head injuries.

Officers have established that the man travelled on the number 72 bus from Threshfeld to Skipton where he got off the bus at around 6.25pm at the main bus station. He then crossed the foot bridge which leads to Gas Street. He was found with head injuries at the bottom of the steps in Gas Street car park.

Police are appealing for anyone with any information to contact them.

Detective Sergeant Alan Browne of Skipton CID, said: “At the moment the man’s death remains unexplained and to assist our enquiries we are looking for anyone who saw the man prior to the incident including bus passengers on the no 72 bus and anyone who saw him walking from the bus station over the bridge towards Gas Street.

“We would particularly like to speak to a man, who we believe was jogging in the area and stopped at the scene to help. If you are the person who stopped we urge you to contact the police as soon as possible.”

The deceased is described as white, 5ft 7in tall with grey hair which was balding on top and wore spectacles. He was wearing a blue wax Barbour-style jacket, blue jeans and brown shoes.

Anyone with any information, including bus passengers and the man who stopped at the scene is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Skipton CID.

 

9am: The footbridge over the Leeds Liverpool Canal near the bus station in Skipton has been closed off by police.

Police say an "incident" occured on the steps by the bridge, believed to be the Gas Street side.

A police van, officers and police tape have sealed off the scene on both sides of the bridge.

More details to follow.