Police have launched a murder investigation after a grandfather was killed following an altercation outside a social club in a small rural village.
Michael Walsh, 57, died shortly after he was found unconscious outside the Rudloe Social Club in Corsham, Wilts., on Sunday evening.
Police were today given extra time to question a 60-year-old man from Corsham who was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder.
Father-of-three Mr Walsh was discovered outside the club with severe head injuries which are thought to be the result of a fight.
Frantic members of the sports and social club called 999 at 6.41pm as first-aiders at the club desperately tried to resuscitate Mr Walsh.
Police and paramedics arrived on scene just before 7pm and Mr Walsh was airlifted to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol but died during the journey.
Mr Walsh’s family today released a tribute which read: ”Our family have lost a much loved husband, father and grandfather.
”We are all in deep shock and would greatly respect privacy at this sad time.”
Residents of the historic Cotswolds town were baffled by the events which lead to Mr Walsh’s death.
One resident, who declined to be named, said: ”It has really knocked everyone for six, It’s a big shock for this to happen.
”I don’t think anyone really knows what happened because everyone was inside
A floral tribute laid in the carpark of the club read: ”Mickey, you’ll be sadly missed by the whole of Corsham.”
A post mortem investigation was carried out this afternoon and a spokesman for Wiltshire police said investigations continued.
He said: ”Following enquiries made at the scene a 60-year-old local man was arrested on suspicion of murder.
”He was taken to Melksham police station where he currently remains in custody after being granted a 36 hour extension at Chippenham Magistrates Court earlier this morning.”
the 60 year old man that got arrested would not hurt anyone, he is deeply shocked by the whole event. He is a much respected honest man.
mickey was and always will be very much loved and missed by everyone in Corsham he was a kind and caring man that didn’t deserve his life to be ended so abruptly and in such a meaningless way, what is this world coming to when people think its acceptable behaviour to go round hitting harmless men like mickey so anon the man that got arrested may be deeply shocked by his own actions but not half as deeply shocked as mickey’s family and close friends are at the prospect of never seeing or being with him again!!