Body found on Wigan street could have 'potentially hazardous substances' on it, police warn

The body was found on Kilburn Drive in Shevington. Credit: MEN Media

A body found on a street in Wigan could be covered in potentially hazardous substances, police say.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) is urging anyone who has had direct contact to immediately seek medical advice.

Emergency services were called to Kilburn Drive in Shevington at around 7pm on Thursday 24 November 2022 after the body was discovered in the road.

Police say it is still too early to confirm if it is a man or a woman.

The identity of the dead person and the substance has yet to be confirmed by police, Detective Superintendent Alan Clitherow.

Mr Clitherow said the identity and sex of the person will be confirmed once a Home Office post-mortem is held after the body, covered by a white and yellow police tent, has been removed from the scene.

He said: “It is a challenging set of circumstances, we have got dedicated officers from the Major Incident Team, obviously less than 24 hours into the investigation, so we are now unpicking exactly what has gone on.

“We don’t know what the substance is, we have done some initial inquiries, we know it’s low risk, so as I mentioned before, anyone directly in contact with the body should seek medical advice if they feel unwell but there’s no wider risk to anyone else.”

A police cordon has been in place since the body was discovered on 24 November, with a forensic tent erected on the road inside the tape. Credit: MEN Media

Mr Clitherow said members of the public should not be alarmed if they see officers wearing protective clothing to remove the body, saying this is “purely precautionary.”

The body was found on rough ground between neighbouring houses, which leads to a dirt track and open fields.

GMP added: "Police believe there are potentially hazardous substances on the body and anyone who has had direct contact with the body should speak to officers or seek medical advice immediately.

"Officers are out speaking to residents and are highly visible in the area.

"The scene is contained, and it is believed there is no wider risk to the surrounding area.

"We will keep the public updated when we have more information".

Can you help?

Any information should can be passed on by calling 101 quoting incident number 000910 of 25/11/2022.