A MURDER investigation has been launched by police after a man was found lying in the road in Basingstoke this morning.
Police were called to an address in Benham Road, Popley, at 5.30am to reports of an assault.
When officers arrived they found the man lying in the road suffering from serious injuries.
He was taken to hospital by South Central Ambulance Service but died a short time later in hospital.
Hampshire Constabulary are not yet able to identify the deceased, as formal identification procedures are taking place and the next of kin are being informed.
Officers are still at the scene and will be there for some time as the investigation continues.
One resident, who did not want to be named, told The Gazette: "I walk my dogs there every morning and there were four police cars and they had cordoned off the houses and the road and there were detectives and forensics.
"It's quite shocking. It's not something you expect to happen. I've lived here since 2009 and it's normally quite quiet and there are no problems."
Police have arrested a 22-year-old man from Basingstoke on suspicion of murder, and he is currently in custody.
They are reassuring members of the public that it appears to be an isolated incident.
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