Horror as woman’s body is found washed up on beach by shocked locals – with cops launching investigation

A WOMAN's body has been found washed up on a beach by shocked locals - with cops launching an investigation.

Officers were called at 9.25am this morning to a report that the body had been seen in the water off Shanklin on the Isle of Wight.

They attended the scene alongside an HM Coastguard boat, a rescue helicopter and an RNLI lifeboat.

A woman in her 70s was pronounced dead at the scene and a file will be prepared for the coroner about the "unexpected" death.

Formal identification is yet to take place but the woman's next of kin have been have been informed.

HM Coastguard said: "We responded to reports of a person in the water in Shanklin this morning.

"Alerted at around 9.30am, Coastguard Rescue Teams, an RNLI lifeboat and the coastguard search and rescue helicopter were sent to the scene."

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Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary said: "We were called at 9.25am today to a report that the body of a woman had been seen in the water at the beach in Shanklin."

A spokesperson added: "We attended the scene alongside our Coastguard colleagues.

"The woman, who is in her 70s, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

"Formal identification is yet to take place, however her next of kin have been have been informed.

"A file will be prepared for the coroner in relation to this unexpected death."