SPRINGFIELD – Springfield police are investigating the death of a 75-year-old Springfield man who was found dead in his car outside the emergency room at Springfield Hospital on Thursday morning.

Police say Ernest Thomas Hemmings was discovered by hospital personnel, who noticed him in his car outside the emergency room.

Springfield Police Chief Douglas Johnston said that Hemmings' death does not appear suspicious at this time, but police were conducting an investigation into his death. The chief said he did not know how long Hemmings had been parked at the hospital, or whether Hemmings had been at the hospital.

A spokesman for Springfield Hospital did not immediately return a call for comment about the death.