A man has died following a major incident at a luxury, five-star seaside hotel.
Three fire engines, two ambulances, an air ambulance, a police van and electrical engineering van were all at the scene at the five-star Harbour Hotel in Southampton, Hants.
Police were spotted carrying bags of evidence from the scene including a pair of Adidas trainers, a set of keys, a wallet, and a drill before a body was removed and placed in a private ambulance.
Phone lines at the waterfront hotel were temporarily unavailable as a result of the incident, with guests advised to use an alternative entrance.
Police cordoned off the hotel entrance and placed signs warning of ‘danger’ outside, and guests were redirected to a different entrance.
A member of hotel staff described the incident as a “medical emergency.”
The private ambulance arrived at the hotel shortly before 3.30pm and fire services were first called at 11:30am yesterday, August 13.
A van from Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) also arrived at the scene and engineers appeared to investigate an outdoor utility room.
Guests were told the lifts are out of order in the building and the bar is operating on a reduced menu.
Police officers also investigated a red Kia Proceed parked nearby and removed a yellow ladder from its boot before covering it in tarpaulin.
One office worker who works in Arcadia House opposite the hotel said: “There were tarpaulins up earlier on and three fire engines were here as well.
“They kept going in and out of the three doors on the right, our guess is it is something to do with the lift.”
Darcie Boddy, 18, from nearby Bursledon, said: “We saw a bunch of fire trucks, there were about three or four.
“We saw the critical care ambulances go past, so we thought it was quite serious.
“We were quite worried.
“Stuff like that doesn’t normally happen in a place like Ocean Village.”
Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed its involvement earlier in the day.
A spokesperson said: “Firefighters were called to an incident at a hotel on Maritime Walk, Southampton shortly after 10 o’clock this morning.
“Crews left the scene at around half 11, having handed the incident over to South Central Ambulance Service paramedics.”
A spokesperson for Harbour Hotel said: “Emergency services are currently attending an incident at Harbour Hotel Southampton.
“Our immediate priority is the safety and wellbeing of our guests, colleagues and everyone at the hotel.
“We are following the guidance of the emergency services.”
Police have not provided a comment.
