Couple seen dropping rubbish bag on street hours before dead baby found at same spot in Notting Hill, witness says
A COUPLE dumped a bag at the spot where a newborn baby was found dead before it was found by a binman, witnesses say.
The council worker made the tragic discovery yesterday outside All Saints Church in Notting Hill, West London.
A scaffolder who was working nearby said a middle-aged couple dropped the bag by a bin at around 10am.
He said: “The man was rustling the bag, like he was tying it. He walked ahead and she followed him.
“They were looking around the bin that is used for garden waste. People have also been dumping rubbish bags there.
“I called the police after I found out what happened. I feel sorry for the poor guys who found the baby.”
He added: “It’s horrific.”
Local residents this morning said the child was found at around midday before cops swooped on the street.
The binman was said to have been so taken back by the morbid discovery that he was left unsteady on his feet.
One mum told The Sun: “The binman found it in a black bag next to that recycling bin. He almost passed out.”
A neighbour said: “I heard that it was one of the binmen who found the body while he was working.
“I had my hand in that very bin two days ago, I was taking rubbish out of my car and it was overflowing.
“It’s horrific to think about. That poor bloke, wherever he is now he’s not going to be sleeping well.”
Another resident, speaking last night, said: “It’s very tragic, heartbreaking actually. It’s heartbreaking.
“The police have been out there all day, I saw the tent go up earlier.
“We’ve seen lots of guys in blue suits, forensics teams walking in and out.
“I can’t begin to imagine what it must feel like for the person who found it.
“I imagine they left him or her outside the church because they felt it was symbolic.
“But there are so many questions now. Where did she give birth? Where is she and where did she come from?”
And a regular churchgoer at All Saints added: “It’s deeply sad and tragic really. This one is particularly sad, of course it is.
“I’ve been attending this church for six years and lived in the area for eight years. I’m a father myself and it’s very sad.
“There are a whole lot of people who are involved in this, including the mother.
“We’re sadly becoming used to stabbings and shootings in London, but a tragic event like this is unprecedented.
“It’s interesting that she chose our church, I wonder if it meant something to her or symbolised something.”
Police have launched an urgent hunt for the baby’s mum amid fears she requires medical attention.
Officers are working to establish the baby’s gender and age.
Superintendent Owen Renowden is preparing to brief journalists this morning.