HOSPITAL bosses have launched an investigation after a patient believed to be suffering from depression was found dead in the casualty department.

Police said the man was admitted to Accident and Emergency at Blackburn Infirmary on Saturday night after an incident.

He was found dead by hospital staff some time later following a separate incident.

It is thought the man was in a depressed state when he arrived at the hospital and police are treating the death as a suicide. They have passed the matter on to the coroner.

Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Health Trust is also investigating. The Community Health Council for Blackburn, Darwen and Ribble Valley, which acts as a health watchdog, was today also looking into the incidents.

Neither the police, nor the trust would comment on the exact circumstances of the man's death.

A spokesman for the hospital said: "I can confirm there was an incident during Saturday night in A and E involving a member of the public, which is very upsetting.

"I am not confirming what happened. The trust is currently carrying out an investigation into the incident and until that is completed we don't want to comment further."

Detective Sergeant Mark Evans, of Blackburn CID, said: "An incident occurred in Blackburn Royal Infirmary. It is being investigated and referred to the coroner.

"There are no suspicious circumstances. A man admitted to the hospital was subsequently found dead."

Nigel Robinson, chief officer of the Community Health Council, said: "We are very saddened by this incident and I will obviously be trying to find some more information about it from the chief executive today.

"The A and E department is an open department and all the patients are observed easily.

"It's all small rooms, but there are open doors, so they don't shut them off and staff are moving all the time, so, normally, patients are watched all the time."