Human skull and skeletal remains found by side of M54 in Shropshire
A human skull was discovered by motorway workers near a sliproad of the M54 in Shropshire today. Tonight police revealed that "further skeletal remains were found nearby".
The eastbound sliproad of at Shifnal/Priorslee was shut this afternoon after the discovery.
Detective Inspector Mark Bellamy, investigating at the scene, said: "It is a human skull. It was found by a maintenance worker who was working down in a hollow alongside the sliproad.
"Our investigations are ongoing. It is vital that we find out how this skull got here."
The sliproad was expected to remain closed for the rest of the day.
Detectives from the West Mercia Police scenes of crime unit could be seen working at the site this afternoon.
The skull was found around 50 yards from the slip road, down a steep bank and in heavy undergrowth.
A police car, police van, an unmarked Vauxhall van and two other unmarked cars were parked on the M54 slip road, which had been sealed off with cones.
A van with flashing lights was stopping traffic from entering the slip road, along with two Highways Agency officials.
Two uniformed police officers were also standing at the slip road, preventing anyone from moving close to the scene.
West Mercia Police spokeswoman Connie Osborne said: "We were called to the roundabout at junction four of the M54 at 1.26pm this afternoon after a discovery was made during a survey on the embankment.
"Police can confirm enquiries are ongoing after what was belived to be a skull was recovered.
"The origin of the remains has not yet been established and a forensic investigation is ongoing at the scene.
"Highways England are also at the scene and the eastbound slip road of the M54 has been closed."
The Highways Agency tweeted: "The entry slip to the #M54 e/b J4 #Telford is likely to remain closed for the rest of the day for an @WMPolice investigation."
Later DCI Neil Jamieson said: "We are in the very early stages of this investigation and enquiries are ongoing.
"The scene will be secured overnight, with further forensic examinations and excavations to be carried out tomorrow. This will be a lengthy process but we will continue to update the public in due course. "
