Bridge Jump Man Saved By Police

A remarkable act of bravery by a police officer and some quick thinking by a lorry driver have combined to save a man from jumping from a Westlink bridge this afternoon.

Traffic ground to a halt on the busy road at 1pm as PSNI officers, who arrived on the scene near Peter's Hill, grabbed hold of the man preventing him from jumping.

At the same time, a quick thinking lorry driver stopped his vehicle under the bridge in an attempt to break his fall if he slipped.

A motorist who was gridlocked as a result has since told UTV that police officers managed to prevent what could have been an absolute tragedy.

She said another police officer then climbed over the bridge at great risk to his own personal safety to try to secure the man from falling further.

"I've just witnessed some remarkable acts of bravery and heroism from both the police officers concerned and the lorry driver," she said.

A PSNI spokesperson has now said the man is currently in hospital and that the Westlink - despite two separate traffic accidents also being reported - is now clear for traffic.

(BMcC/GK)