Man dies after police and paramedics called to Atria Watford

A spokesperson for Atria Watford shopping centre has confirmed a person died inside the centre following an incident at around 2.45pm.

It is believed a man fell from height, and although the circumstances are unclear, police said yesterday afternoon there is "not currently believed to have been any third party involvement".

There was a huge emergency presence in the town centre on Saturday afternoon with numerous police vehicles and ambulances parked up outside one of the entrances to Atria Watford, opposite McDonald's.

Shoppers said parts of the area were cordoned off including sections of Atria Watford, with people led out onto the High Street and away from the shopping centre.

A spokesperson for Atria Watford said this morning: "We can confirm that at approximately 2.45pm on Saturday March 27, an incident took place within Atria Watford resulting in the serious injury to an individual.

"Our staff responded immediately and administered first aid with paramedics arriving shortly after, but sadly the individual died at the scene.

"Local police are now investigating so it would be inappropriate to comment further other than to say our thoughts are with the individual's family and friends at this very difficult time."

Joining police and paramedics at the scene were forensic officers who reportedly remained in Watford until past 7pm.

One shopper told the Observer yesterday how the public were kept away from the shopping centre, which recently changed its name from intu Watford, as emergency services began arriving.

They said: "I was about to leave M&S to go into the (shopping) centre when a bunch of security and M&S staff rushed around looking shocked.

"They stopped people leaving that exit and said we needed to leave by the exit onto the street. An M&S first aider was being ushered to the front of the store clutching a first aid bag.

"I left M&S by the rear exit and an ambulance was just arriving with an unmarked police car with its lights on escorting it in. There were already three other police cars and a police van present at this point.

"I popped into Tesco and came out less than ten minutes later to the fully cordoned off area, nine police cars, a police van, two ambulances and a paramedic car."

Police enquiries are ongoing with Hertfordshire Constabulary expected to release further details in due course. 

A police spokesperson initially said yesterday afternoon: "Police were called at around 2.40pm on Saturday 27 March after a man suffered serious injuries in the King Street area of Watford.

"Officers attended the scene alongside the ambulance service and road closures were put in place.

"Enquiries are continuing, but there is not currently believed to have been any third party involvement in the incident."