A MURDER probe has been launched after a man died of serious injuries in Southampton - the second suspected murder in the city in just four days.

Shocked residents described how they saw paramedics battle to revive a man as he was taken out of a flat in Shirley yesterday afternoon - but sadly he could not be saved.

Last night as forensic teams carried out investigations at the address, police confirmed detectives were treating the death as suspicious and had arrested a man on suspicion of murder.

It is the second murder in Southampton over the Bank Holiday weekend, coming just days after the body of a 67-year-old man, named locally as Peter Thompson, was found in East Church Close, Lordshill on Friday.

In the latest murder probe to hit the city, residents say police swooped on the studio flat property in Malmesbury Road at shortly after 1pm yesterday.

Officers found the victim with life-threatening injuries but despite the best efforts of paramedics he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Hampshire police are now working to trace and inform the immediate family of the victim, who is yet to be identified.

Neighbours watched on as the suspect, aged in his 40s, was taken into custody where he was being questioned by detectives last night.

A team of forensic officers in white boiler suits continued an investigation at the scene yesterday, while residents spoke of their shock at the news.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said: “There were about four police cars and an ambulance.

“They blocked off the entire street for at least an hour.

"They pulled the ambulance out and brought a man out on a spinal board.

"It's a quiet street, I haven't seen anything like this happening on the doorstep before."

Another resident added: "I went out to take the rubbish out and I saw a police van backing down the street.

"One of my neighbours said he saw a man being put into the van and being taken away.

"I then saw another man, who I think was in his twenties, being taken out of the house on a spinal board."

A third neighbour said: "The people living in the flat above have been told they can't go back while the investigation happens.

"It's distressing."

A spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary urged anyone with information to get in touch with the force by calling 101 and quoting Operation Shape.