Oxford residents have been left with feelings of concern and shock after the death of a man who was found by police in the city centre.

The incident occurred at around 5.10am on Tuesday as officers found a man unresponsive on Cornmarket Street in the city centre of Oxford. 

South Central Ambulance Service, who were already at the scene, then transported the man to John Radcliffe Hospital.

The man was declared dead at the hospital while officers cordoned off the city street as forensics teams worked at the scene.

READ MORE: Man dies after being found by police in city centre

The cordon was put in place early on Tuesday morning.The cordon was put in place early on Tuesday morning. (Image: Newsquest)

Police reopened the street shortly before midday and announced that the death was being treated as “unexplained.”

A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: “At around 5.10am this morning, Thames Valley Police attended an incident of an unresponsive male at Cornmarket in Oxford.

“South Central Ambulance Service was already in attendance.

“The male was taken to John Radcliffe Hospital where, sadly, he was declared deceased.

“The death is being treated as unexplained at this time. The scene is now open.”

READ MORE: Police cordon off Oxford city centre street

Oxford residents have been left shocked and saddened by the news with the majority of the public in the city centre puzzled as to why Cornmarket Street was closed off.

Toby Taylor was taking his son to school in the morning when he spotted the police cordon.

"I was walking through with my son taking him to school," he said.

"I think what shocked us was the vast area of the police tape, basically closing the majority of Cornmarket Street and the affected shops.

"My son was very concerned."

Yvonne Pinner, project manager for the Oxford Homeless Movement, added: “How very sad that someone has passed away, so very sorry to hear this.

“I saw it reported that an area was cordoned off, but only knew this. Whether the person was homeless or not, just such sad news.

READ MORE: Man arrested after police spot city 'drug deal' taking place

The police cordon on Cornmarket Street was in place for hours.The police cordon on Cornmarket Street was in place for hours. (Image: Public submission)

“Sincere condolences to this person’s family and friends.

“If he was rough sleeping or he was in homeless supported accommodation, I know that the standard procedure would be for any support service he was in contact with to notify the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Adults Board (OSAB).

“This would then be reviewed under the Homeless Mortality Review process.

“This is a sensitively handled review and its purpose is so that organisations can review the death fully, to better understand what happened and to consider if there could be changes made to the system, to improve outcomes for the future.

“Any learning and actions are shared amongst all partner agencies.”

READ MORE: Greggs and McDonald’s shut down by police in city centre

Cornmarket Street resumed to normal after the cordon was removed.Cornmarket Street resumed to normal after the cordon was removed. (Image: Public submission)

Businesses inside the cordon including Greggs, McDonald’s and Boots were all temporarily shut while police carried out their investigation and enquiries.

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