EMERGENCY services have been in attendance at an incident in Grays after an alert was raised this morning.

It has now been confirmed that a person has died.

Attention was centred on the Lionel Oxley House tower block, where officers from the police, fire and ambulance services were in attendance.

New Road was blocked off.

An initial police statement from Essex Police at 10am said: "We are working with emergency service colleagues at the scene of an incident in New Road, Grays.

"Officers were called to the scene at about 8.50am following a report of concern for the welfare of a person. We remain at the scene."

Emergency workers at the side of Lionel Oxley House.

New Road was blocked off for a short stretch from its junction with Bridge Road, but most of the area remained accessible, with police officers marshalling pedestrians.

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Among the vehicles attending was the Essex Fire Service aerial platform ladder. Firefighters entered Lionel Oxley House from the ground floor at one point.

At lunchtime Police confirmed the incident included a fatality, saying: "Sadly, a 65-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Her family are being supported by specialist officers.

"We are treating this death as unexpected but not suspicious, and a file will be prepared for the coroner."

Report from the scene: