AN INVESTIGATION has been launched following the death of a 49-year-old man found lying in the road in a town centre.

The man was discovered by an off-duty police community support officer in Suffolk Road, Dartford, near the Orchards Shopping Centre, at about 6am on Saturday.

Ambulance crews carried out a medical assessment of the man and released him to be taken home by police.

During the short journey the man became unwell and officers used CPR to resuscitate him. They took him to Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford where, following further treatment, he was pronounced dead at about 7.50am.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has launched an investigation into the incident.

An inquest is due to be opened this week..