A MAN died after plunging 30ft at the Winter Gardens car park today.

South Western Ambulance Service was called to the scene at 1.12pm where the casualty, believed to be a man in his forties, lay on the ground at the bottom of the car park's surrounding embankment.

An air ambulance arrived at nearby Exeter Crescent car park shortly after 2pm while paramedics continued their attempts to save the man and police asked passers-by to maintain a respectful distance as they worked.

Police cordoned off a section of neighbouring Exeter Road, taping it off between the roundabout by the BIC and the traffic lights at the junction of Upper Terrace Road, where a crowd had gathered to watch the air ambulance land.

Police then diverted traffic away from the area to allow access to the helicopter and buses were forced to change their routes.

However, the air ambulance left at 3.10pm without the casualty on board and police at the scene confirmed the man had died.

Inspector Matt Baxter said it was believed to be an accident and that the man had slipped and fallen from the top of the bank before hitting his head on the ground.

“The ambulance service worked very hard to try and save his life,” he added. “Sadly the injuries were too much and the man died as a result.

“We are trying to identify him so his next of kin can be informed.”

A spokesman for Dorset Police later confirmed it had been called at 1.40pm to assist the air ambulance with the landing.

She added: “A man, believed to be in his forties from Bournemouth, had suffered a fall from a height into the Winter Gardens car park and suffered serious injuries.

“At 2pm police assisted in closing the roads surrounding Exeter Crescent car park to facilitate the landing of the helicopter, however the injured man was too ill to be moved. Sadly at 2.35pm the man died.

“The death is not being treated as suspicious.

“HM Coroner has been informed, however, his next of kin have yet to be notified.”