06/10/2009

M5 Bones 'Confirmed Human'

The bones found in a bag on the M5 motorway - north of Bristol - are human.

A motorway workman clearing vegetation in the area found a skull and a significant number of bones on Monday.

Today, Avon and Somerset Police have confirmed - following examination by a pathologist - that these bones were human. Currently, forensic archaeologists are trying to determine how long the bones have been there and also the age and gender of the remains, which are not believed to be that of a child.

A police spokesman explained: "Crime scene investigators are continuing their work here, while uniformed officers conduct a search of the surrounding area."

The zone has been cordoned off and police have begun to search woods behind the scene.

Detective Inspector Richard Budd said some of the bones were "partially buried" but the area "had been subjected to animal activity".

(CL/BMcC)

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