POLICE are appealing for witnesses after the body of a 16-year-old youth was found lying at the side of Fort Road by a passing motorist yesterday morning. Officers this morning said that it was too early to say if the youth was the victim of a hit and run accident.

Phillip Hooper, Vale Rec’s Youth One captain, had sustained head injuries and Ambulance and Rescue staff were unable to resuscitate him.

Flowers have been placed to mark the spot where he was found dead at 1.32am.

The scene was still cordoned off when the first flowers were placed by a lone woman at 10am the same morning.

The card read: ‘Phil, I keep asking myself why. Always in my heart.’

Detective Sergeant Terry Coule said that enquiries were at an early stage, but it appeared Phillip spent the evening at an event at the Fermain Tavern.

‘Phillip was wearing white adidas trainers, blue jeans and a short-sleeved blue T-shirt which had animal printed on the front in white lettering above a stylised hawk motif,’ he said.

Police would like to speak to anyone who saw Phillip at the event or leave at 12.15am.

A drum and bass evening was due to take place at the Fermain Tavern that night.

‘Three youths were seen sitting on the footpath at Morley Corner at about 1am and we would urge them to come forward in order to eliminate them from the enquiry,’ said DS Coule.

One was reportedly speaking on a mobile phone asking for a lift.

They would also like to speak to a man and woman who were seen embracing at the top of Le Val des Terres at around 1.30am and anyone who travelled along Fort Road between 1am and 1.30am.

A burgundy Renault 19 was covered and towed away from a lay-by on the left of Croutes Havilland Lane before the scene was cleared.

Police spoke to residents of the area near the lay-by, some of whom were still in their dressing gowns.

Guernsey Press chief engineer Charlie Ward lives near Fort Road. He did not hear or see anything that night.

‘I just woke up this morning and there were police cars down there and that was it,’ he said.

Fort Road was closed between Croutes Havilland Lane and the Morley Corner while the scene was cleared. It reopened at 10.15am.

DS Coule said it was too early to identify the cause of Phillip’s death and a post mortem will be held this afternoon.

‘A police family liaison officer is working with the family during this difficult time.’

* Anyone who can help police should call 725111 or the Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.