Man found dead after major police response at Culham Lock

The incident occurred on Monday, April 6, when police were called at about 4.35am to Tollgate Road in Culham, Abingdon.

Culham Lock car park on the River Thames was cordoned off for most of the day on Monday, with a heavy police presence.

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Manned police cordons were set up around all entry and exit points to the car park, and eyewitnesses say at least four police cars or vans remained there for most of the day, causing serious concern among locals.

Police vehicles and a blue tent were on the scene in Culham Lock car park (Image: Contributed)

Thames Valley Police have now confirmed that a man in his 50s was pronounced dead on the scene.

A spokesperson for the force said: “We were called at around 4.35am on Monday, April 6, to Tollgate Road in Abingdon, following reports of a concern for welfare.

“Emergency services attended but sadly a man aged in his 50s was pronounced deceased at the scene.

“His death is being treated as unexplained, but not suspicious, and a file will be prepared for the coroner.

“His family have been informed and are being supported.”

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One woman who lives in Culham but did not want to be named said it was ‘frightening’ to see such a large police incident in what is usually a ‘quiet’ village.

She saw what was happening in Culham Lock car park at about 3.30pm on Monday, and said: “The incident seemed to be located in the back half of the car park on the left side.

Culham Lock on the River Thames (Image: Rod Allday / Wikimedia Commons)

“There seemed to be a lot of locals stood around staring and the lock keeper was stood with his hands on his head.”

She also reported seeing a recovery van retrieving a black four-by-four from the scene. It is not yet known if this is related to the incident.

Thames Valley Police was approached for comment the morning after the incident, but failed to provide a statement until today (Wednesday, April 8), leaving people ‘worried’.

The eyewitness added: “Not knowing the nature of the incident leaves local people worried, it is such a beautiful public area we use and walk around everyday and now it is making us not want to go down there out of fear of what might occurred. 

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“It has been extremely distressing to my younger sister who couldn’t sleep last night due to being worried and having full sight of what happened.

“When I was walking down, there was full visibility of the scene and police stood around.

“While I understand it is another day on the job for them, it was very distressing to locals who of course rarely if ever experience something like this in somewhere like Culham.”