A man was killed in an apparent industrial accident in Pembroke yesterday afternoon.

His lifeless body was found by a member of the public on steps at the entrance of Best Shipping, Pitts Bay Road, at about 4.20 p.m.

The cause of death has not been confirmed but his body was underneath a perilous ledge about 50 feet high with no safety railings at the next-door construction site. One of his shoes had come off in whatever incident led to his death.

Police have not ruled out foul play and a forensic team was at the site yesterday, taking photographs and frequently pointing at the nearby ledge.

The area surrounding Best Shipping, a freight firm, was taped off throughout the afternoon and early evening. Best Shipping could not be reached for comment yesterday.

A neighbour on Pitts Bay Road said: "I thought this New Year was going to be a good New Year. I didn't expect to see this."

A brief Police statement said the man's body was found in an unresponsive state and he was pronounced dead at the scene. It said no more information would be released until the next of kin has been notified.

Officers said a fall from the high ledge was one of a number of possible of the cause of death.