NEIGHBOURS last night expressed their shock after a man died following an altercation yards from his home in Oxford.

Four people were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after the 56-year-old man was found unconscious on a grassy area off Ashhurst Way, in Rose Hill, at about 2.30am on Saturday.

The man, named yesterday as David Cox, had been living in nearby Asquith Road.

He died on Saturday afternoon at the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Headington.

Police believe he was involved in “some sort of altercation” moments before he collapsed, although detectives were last night still treating his death as unexplained.

A post mortem was due to be carried out today.

Daniel Simpson, 66, a retired hospital porter who lives in Ashhurst Way, said: “I heard a bang about 1.30am and I thought there was a gas explosion.

“At about 1.45am I opened the door and standing at the door were two police officers. I saw the body in front of me and said ‘What’s that doing there?’ He was just lying there face down by the tree. I was shocked.

“It’s got me worried. It’s within five yards of my house.

“When the police knocked on my door I never dreamed it could be this.

“I can’t make head or tail of what’s happened.

“No-one ever expected him to die. But he’s gone to a better place than what there is around here.

“One minute you’re getting your door kicked in, the next this happens.”

Yesterday, a 78-year-old pensioner, who did not want to be named, said: “It happened just the other side of my fence.

“I was shocked. I was quite scared last night, I thought something else might happen. It’s dreadful.”

A 17-year-old mother-of-one, of Ashhurst Way, said: “I’m not really shocked, it’s nothing unusual.

“Everyone has been going on about it. There are lots of rumours.”

A 23-year-old man, a 20-year-old man and two 17-year-old boys who were arrested on Saturday on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the man’s death were later released on police bail until Saturday, July 24.

Det Insp Simon Morton, who is leading the investigation, said: “We’re aware that the incident has caused a lot of upset among the local community.

“The area’s neighbourhood policing team, together with response team officers, is providing high-visibility patrols on the estate.”

Anyone with information about the incident should call Mr Morton on 08458 505505 or the confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.