A major investigation was launched in Rochdale today after the death of a man found lying 'unresponsive' on a street, police have said. Two men - aged 61 and 48 - have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remained in police custody today for questioning.
Lancashire Police said an investigation was underway 'to establish the full circumstances', with a senior detective saying he was 'very much keeping an open mind'.
Police were called to Tong Lane, off the main Market Street in Whitworth, at 7.20am today - Thursday. The man, who hasn't been named, was later confirmed dead at the scene. No age for him has been revealed as yet.
The 61-year-old man in custody is from Whitworth. The second man is from Blackburn, police confirmed as the force issued an appeal for witnesses and anyone with information to come forward.
In a statement, Lancashire Police said: "We are appealing for information following a sudden death in Whitworth. Our officers were called to Tong Lane at 7.20am today to reports a man had been found unresponsive in the street.
"Despite the best efforts of emergency services and a member of the public, the man was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this distressing time.
"Our detectives are working to establish the full circumstances of what led to the man’s death and we have arrested two people on suspicion of murder as part of our ongoing enquiries. They are a 61-year-old man from Whitworth and a 48-year-old man from Blackburn. They remain in custody at this time."
Detective Inspector Mark Saunders, of East CID, said: "A man has died and my thoughts are very much with his loved ones at this extremely sad time.
"An investigation has been launched to establish the full circumstances of what led to his death. We are at the very early stages of that investigation and although we have made two arrests I am very much keeping an open mind.
"I would ask anybody with footage from the area or anybody who saw or heard anything which they believe could assist our enquiries to make contact with us.
"You will see officers carrying out house to house enquiries today, as well as neighbourhood officers doing reassurance patrols in the area. If you have any information which could be of assistance to us, please approach them and say hello."
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