Police are working with the office of the chief medical examiner to identify a body found off the Trans-Canada Highway in St. John's Friday morning.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary said officers were called to a gravel pit near an Irving gas station on the boundary between the city and Conception Bay South.

The body was discovered at 8 a.m. by a man who was doing work in the area, police said.

The Major Crimes Unit and patrol units are investigating.

Media has been asked to leave site for safety reasons Dump truck traffic in area. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cbcnl?src=hash">#cbcnl</a> <a href="https://t.co/GUTHYrkzpu">pic.twitter.com/GUTHYrkzpu</a> —@glenn_payette

A spokesman with the RNC said more information will be released once it is available, but it could be Monday before next of kin are notified and a public statement is made.

Media were asked to leave the scene of the investigation for safety reasons.