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A homeless man has been found dead near a city centre shopping centre after sleeping rough in freezing temperatures.

The man died after bedding down for the night on Saturday outside Wagamama's near the Bullring in Birmingham.

Rob Yasai, a volunteer at Birmingham Homeless Outreach, told how he tried to save the man after checking on him out of concern in the cold weather.

The rough sleeper had been with a fellow homeless man but had failed to wake up shortly before 9am on Sunday.

Temperatures dipped to -0.8C overnight between Saturday and Sunday, according to Met Office readings.

(Image: Axiom RM)

Concern has previously been expressed among charity and outreach workers over rough sleepers equipped only with cheap blankets and sleeping bags, the Birmingham Mail reported.

Rob Yasai, a volunteer at Birmingham Homeless Outreach, told how he tried to save the man after checking on him out of concern in the cold weather.

Rob said: “I walked past to check on him because I knew the risks he was taking in the cold weather and I wanted to make sure he was ok.

“We thought he was sleeping but when I pulled the blankets away he wouldn’t wake up.”

Rob paid tribute to the victim, a popular character on the city centre streets.

(Image: Birmingham Mail)

The outreach volunteer said: “He was a caring, fun person. He cared about everyone and was worried about everyone else. He would put everyone before himself even though he was in the same situation.

“He died putting someone else first. He could have been in a shelter but he wanted to make sure his friend was safe. The night before they both said they would come back and stay at the shelter but they didn’t return.”

West Midlands Police said: “Officers were called to Edgbaston Street in Birmingham just after 9.30am on Sunday 17 December to reports of a man being found seriously unwell.

“Sadly, the 38-year-old man passed away soon after the ambulance service arrived.

“The death is not being treated as suspicious and has been referred to the coroner. “