Police are hunting for a man who left two suitcases believed to contain human remains by Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol.

Officers were alerted to reports of a man seen acting suspiciously on the bridge just before midnight on Wednesday.

They arrived at the scene within 10 minutes – but the man had vanished, leaving a suitcase behind.

A second suitcase was found nearby a short time later, Avon and Somerset Police said.

Acting Bristol Commander Vicks Hayward-Melen said the “immediate priority” was to find the man and identify the human remains.

She said an immediate search of the area was carried out by officers on the ground with the support of the National Police Air Service and HM Coastguard following the discoveries.

These searches remain ongoing and officers have set up a police cordon near the scene.

The Clifton Suspension Bridge and its visitor centre is closed due to the police activity, its operators said on social media.

A message on the X account of Clifton Suspension Bridge, posted at 7.25am this morning, read: “Due to a police incident, the bridge and visitor centre are CLOSED all day today (11th JULY) to ALL traffic and pedestrians.

“We apologise for the disruption.”

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Ms Hayward-Melen said: “This is a very disturbing incident and I fully recognise the concern it will be causing our communities.

“The investigation is being led by our major crime investigation team and involves specialist officers and staff from across our organisation.

“Our immediate priority is to locate the man who took the suitcases to the bridge, identify the deceased, and inform their next of kin.

“Specialist officers are ready to provide them with any support they need.”

She added: “Specialist crime scene investigators are currently examining the bridge and surrounding area and the bridge will remain closed while these enquiries are conducted.

“A forensic post mortem examination will take place later today.

“There is currently an increased police presence in the area and anyone who has concerns is encouraged to speak to an officer.”

Anyone with information has been urged to contact police.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Clifton Suspension Bridge is a Grade I listed landmark designed by Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

It opened in 1864 and spans the Avon Gorge.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive Breaking News alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News App. You can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

Related posts:

Queen to mark her 95th birthday without Prince Philip First weekend of outdoor gatherings set to stay cold as brighter weather on the horizon UK reports more than 9,000 new COVID cases – the highest daily total since February Key assessment of Omicron set to be published today after first UK studies suggest it’s milder than Delta Musician accused of murdering teenager Bobbi-Anne McLeod to face trial later this year ‘Sadistic’ burglar who raped mother and 14-year-old daughter is jailed ‘We had to take decisive action’: Truss defends mini-budget amid market turmoil Royal Mail unable to despatch items abroad after ‘cyber incident’ Wales to see biggest change ‘in a generation’ to 14-16-year-olds’ education Teen stabbed in heart ‘in full view of primary school pupils and parents’ Rwanda bill passes after late night row between government and Lords Majority of people in Scotland have ‘no religion’, census finds