Dead body found in ditch in Runcorn woods is ‘man in 40s’ say police

Jan 31 2013 by Oliver Clay, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

A MAN’S body was found in woods in Runcorn.

Police were called to Big Wood on the edge of Windmill Hill just after 3pm on Tuesday where they located the body in a ditch.

Dogwalkers told the Weekly News yesterday that the grim find was made in a section of woods yards from the Bridgewater Canal and Townfield Road.

On arrival, officers discovered the body of a man believed to be in his 40s lying on the ground.

Police sealed off the area throughout the evening while forensic experts investigated.

Their presence included a large wagon parked at the foot of Townfield Road.

Cheshire Police has reported that the death is not being treated as suspicious but the cause remains unknown and the incident “unexplained”.

The force was keen to dismiss rumours that were rife among residents and online that the deceased was missing 18-year-old Warrington teenager Nathan Taylor.

Windmill Hill residents told the Weekly News on Tuesday that speculation was spreading that the body was found in Bridgewater Canal.

A police spokeswoman also said that a Peugeot 206 which appeared to have been abandoned in Norton Priory car park 200 yards away was connected to the case.

The deceased has not been identified and police have not said how long they believe the body was lying there.

A force spokeswoman said: “At 3.08pm on Tuesday January 29, police were called Big Wood near Norton Priory museum in Runcorn.

“On arrival officers discovered the body of a man, believed to be in his 40s.

“At this stage there are no suspicious circumstances.

“Police are currently at the scene and at the early stages of the investigation.”

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Nathan Taylor, who went missing on his way home from a party in Warrington, should call Cheshire police on 101.