West Midlands Police have confirmed they have responded to an incident in a town in the Dudley area, with all emergency services on scene. Police said they were called to Highbridge Road in Netherton, which is next to Netherton Reservoir.
There are unconfirmed reports that a man is missing. 999 calls were made at 6.20pm on Tuesday (23 July), with police, fire and ambulance services attending the scene.
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Highbridge Road and part of Knowle Hill Road are closed to traffic. Police are advising the public to avoid the area. This is a live report with updates to follow…
21:19Nick Horner
More details will follow when they are published tonight.
Our evening reporters have now taken over from the night shift. We will bring you more details of this incident in Netherton as we receive them. Our thoughts are with the person and their family involved.
21:07Nick Horner
Second advisor going to the scene
A second Netherton councillor, Qasim Mughal, said he had just heard the news when contacted by BirminghamLive. He said he was visiting the scene of the incident to find out more.
9:00 p.m.Nick Horner
“My thoughts are with the family,” the adviser said.
Councillor Elaine Taylor (Netherton and Holly Hall, Lab.), a representative for Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, said she understood the incident was related to a “missing young person”. The councillor told BirminghamLive: “I understand the emergency services are looking for a missing young person.
“I have not heard from the city council or the police, but I am expecting a response this evening. My thoughts are with the family concerned.”
20:57Nick Horner
Map of the incident area
Over the past hour, red lines were visible on Highbridge Road in Netherton, north of Netherton Reservoir, with Knowle Hill Road also closed according to the traffic section of Google Maps.
Where Highbridge Road meets the Dudley Canal, the line is now yellow. Police have not provided an update since their official statement on Twitter at 8.10pm.
20:50Nick Horner
Police helicopter flies over closed roads
There is a heavy 999 presence on Highbridge Road in Netherton following reports of a young person missing in the water at Netherton Reservoir, located next to the road. The missing person is believed to be a male. The age of the missing person has not yet been officially confirmed.
The public is advised to avoid the area to allow emergency crews to carry out their work.
20:44Nick Horner
Statement from West Midlands Police
West Midlands Police in Dudley issued a statement on the incident in Netherton. It said: “We are responding to an incident this evening (23 July) alongside our colleagues from West Midlands Fire and Ambulance Service in Highbridge Road, Netherton. The public are advised to avoid the area to assist emergency services with their response. Highbridge Road remains closed. Further information will follow in due course.”