New York traffic wardens issued two parking tickets to a car whose driver was later found dead in the front seat, it has been reported.

Police have launched an investigation into whether wardens saw the body of 47-year-old Mamadou Barry but failed to report it.

Two parking tickets were found on the car, which was sitting in a zone where vehicles are not allowed to park between 11.30am and 1pm.

And while the first ticket was discovered inside the car and dated 16 June, another was still fixed to the windscreen when police were called, witnesses said.

The New York Daily News reported that on the day the body was found, wardens had apparently ticketed both the cars in front and behind Mr Barry’s Buick Regal – but not his.

Officials said they were investigating why wardens had failed to give Mr Barry a third ticket.

As to why Mr Barry was found dead in the car, police reportedly said he appeared to have died of natural causes.

Police sources said he had a number of health problems requiring medication, and that he was known to prefer to drive himself to hospital when he felt unwell.