Mystery as body is found in Smethwick canal

A man has been found dead in a canal in Smethwick in what detectives describe as mysterious circumstances.

The body was recovered from the Galton Valley canal under Hartley Bridge, around two miles from Smethwick Galton Bridge train station, at around 6.45pm yesterday.

Police forensics teams could be seen from the overlying rail tracks, as they worked to recover the body, by commuters travelling between Wolverhampton and Birmingham.

Officers had been alerted by a call from a passer-by.

Det Sgt Carl Russell said: "When and how he went into the canal is as yet a mystery. We are proceeding to identify the man and will be supporting his family.

"A post-mortem will be arranged in due course, but we are appealing for anyone with any information about how the man came to be there, to come forward."

Anyone with information should ring police officers on 101.