Injured man leaves mile-long blood trail after ‘mental health episode’ in Swindon

Blood was found across central Swindon this morning following a medical incident overnight, Wiltshire Police has said.

The force was alerted to several pools of blood found by members of the public and a council street cleaner in two areas.

Officers were called out to investigate the significant blood loss but later discovered it was linked to an earlier incident – understood to be mental health related.

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Crime scene cordons were put in place on Turner Street and Westcott Place, with police guarding an alleyway alongside Robert Le King School.

Police cars in Turner Street, where officers were guarding pools of blood

Substantial amounts of blood were also found in various spots in Swindon town centre, along with a heavily bloody t-shirt outside H&M in The Parade. There was also a long trail of blood between Tesco Metro and HSBC.

But Wiltshire Police say their investigation has linked the pools of blood to an earlier medical incident, where paramedics treated a man in Westcott Place at around 1am.

It’s thought the man had walked from The Parade to Turner Street, bleeding heavily along the way. However, his full journey this morning is unknown.

Police and ambulance at the scene in Westcott Place at around 1am this morning

“Shortly before 1am this morning (23/02/21) we were called by ambulance service colleagues to Westcott Place in Swindon to provide support”, a spokesperson told Wiltshire 999s.

Adding: “Paramedics were attempting to treat a man who was initially refusing treatment for an injury. He later engaged with the paramedics who were able to treat him at the scene.

“We later received reports of pools of blood around Swindon, so have carried out detailed enquiries and have concluded that these are linked to the medical incident.

“There is nothing suspicious and no further police action is needed.”

If you are struggling with your mental health, please reach out for support. Contact the Samaritans in confidence and for free, 24 hours a day 365 days a year, on 116 123. You can also visit our page of Mental Health Helplines to view a list of relevant organisations.

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