A YOUNG man has told how his frantic attempts to save the life of a homeless man were in vain.

Alex Hood, 23, rushed up the steps of High Street Car Park, in Taunton, after being told the rough sleeper was unconscious.

Car valeter Mr Hood, from Otterford, dialled 999 for an ambulance and performed CPR on the man, who has been named by a friend as 'Scotch' Alan.

The victim was then rushed by ambulance to Musgrove Park Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Mr Hood, who did a first aid course at Taunton Fire Station, said: "A group of men came down the steps of the car park and asked us to call an ambulance.

"We went upstairs and I'd say he'd probably been dead two or three hours.

"I checked him over and administered CPR before the ambulance crew came up and took over.

"My friends and I helped out by carrinyg some of their equipment up the stairs."

Following yesterday's incident at around 8pm, Mr Hood said: "I feel bad and have been unable to sleep.

"No-one wants to move someone who's passed away, but I had to give it a try.

"The other people there said he'd had to be revived by paramedics on two occasions over the previous two days.

"I feel generally sorry for him."

Police officers also attended the scene, but say they are not treating the death as suspicious or unexplained.

The Coroner has been informed.

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