Costessey left reeling after body found and woman killed

The first occurred when a woman in her 40s was hit by a car during the busy school run rush hour on Dereham Road in Costessey.

The following morning the body of a man in his 20s was discovered in a nearby park.

Police are not aware of a link between the two tragedies, but the deaths happening so close together has left many in the area shaken.

"It's a tragedy," said Costessey councillor Gary Blundell.

"Two young people have lost their lives in the last day and our sympathies go out to all of those involved. 

"I feel safe in saying the community is devastated."

The Costessey Centre was closed today as police vehicles swarmed the car park (Image: Newsquest)

Longwater Lane Park was cordoned off this morning (Image: Newsquest)

Dereham Road, one of the busiest roads into the city, was closed for six hours after the woman was struck by a brown Volkswagen Passat.

It happened at 3.30pm, just as the area was thronging with parents and children as nearby schools finished for the day.

Police said that many people had witnessed the shocking scenes near the junction with Britannia Way.

Members of the public tried to administer first aid but the woman, who has not been named, died at the scene.

A woman was killed just outside of the Hampden View estate along Dereham Road (Image: Newsquest)

The crash was witnessed by a very large group of people, according to police (Image: Newsquest)

Sergeant Ben Hawkins said: “This was a traumatic incident for all involved and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the woman who sadly died.

“We are aware there was a very large number of people in the area, due to the busy school run, who will have witnessed the collision.”

Almost 15 hours later police were called to Costessey Centre in a nearby park where the body of a man had been found.

Throughout the morning there were police cars and a forensic van at the site.

Councillor Gary Blundell is devastated by the two tragedies (Image: Newsquest)

Cllr Blundell added: "I would have thought it very unlikely that they are linked but we aren't going to know as of yet so we should just leave it as two tragic incidents in such a short amount of time.

"I know the town feels the same and is devastated to have lost two of its members over the last 24 hours.

"I'm just hopeful we don't lose anyone else."