Storrington villagers shocked after death of man in high street

A 78-year-old man has been released on conditional bail after he was arrested on suspicion of murder in Storrington on Sunday morning, after a man was found unconscious in the high street.

The 49-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.

On Monday, a day after the tragic incident, the scene looked as if nothing had happened.

But residents were in shock with many saying nothing like this had ever happened in the village before.

Read more: Police keeping ‘an open mind’ as to cause of man’s death in village

A staff member from the village's Nisa petrol station, who has lived in the area for 11 years, said: “It’s shocking.

“It’s not something that has ever happened before. It’s not something you expect in your home town.”

Police cordoned off the area for several hours

A dog walker in Hawthorn Way said: “It’s a surprise that somebody has passed away.

“Everything’s Chinese whispers at the moment.”

Another resident, who has lived in Storrington for five years, said people were stunned by what had happened.

“It’s been a shock,” he said. “Never had anything like this in the five years I’ve been here.”

MP for Arundel and South Downs Andrew Griffith said he was “saddened” by the "dreadful crime".

"I was shocked and saddened to hear of the murder of a man in Storrington during the weekend,” he said.

“Sussex Police have my full support in their ongoing investigation into this dreadful crime."

A 49-year-old was pronounced dead after emergency services tried to resuscitate him (Image: Eddie Mitchell)

Workers and residents from the area described witnessing police attempting to save the man.

Some residents said the men were involved in an argument over a dog.

A 19-year-old bartender at the nearby The Moon pub, who gave her name only as Skye, said: “The heart-breaking thing is witnessing police give CPR to someone and then it has not worked – it is not something I wanted to witness.”

“All we heard was sirens and then lots of screaming and shouting.

“Apparently he had a dog with him and that was what it was all over, but we are not sure, we have had multiple people come in here today and say a different story.”

A heavy police presence remained in Old Drive for several hours, with officers and cordons dominating the area.

Anyone with information which could help detectives with their investigation is asked to report it online or call 101 quoting Operation Kingscross.