Man, 51, collapses and dies outside Plymouth flat

POLICE have launched an investigation into the sudden death of a man in the doorway of flats.

The 51-year-old collapsed outside his home in Citadel Road near the city centre at about 10.30am yesterday.

Officers closed off the pavement and took photographs of the scene.

But there are thought to be no suspicious circumstances.

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A fire crew from Greenbank was called to the address near the junction with Holyrood Place to cover up the body, which was on public view.

But the body was moved inside without the help of firefighters.

An ambulance was also sent to the terraced house, which has been converted into five or six flats.

Police closed off a small stretch of the pavement for about an hour and a half.

One witness, who did not want to be named, said he saw police removing items from one of the flats.

He added: “About 15 metres of the pavement was cordoned off. There were three or four officers around and someone was taking photographs. I did not know what was going on, but they were there until about noon.”

Inspector Pete Turner, of Devon and Cornwall police, said: “The area was treated as a crime scene until we confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances.”

He added a file would be handed to the coroner and a post-mortem investigation carried out to confirm the cause of death.

It is understood the man, who has not been named, was seen going to a nearby shop at about 8.30am yesterday morning.