Man rescued after threating to jump off Gateway bridge

Emergency services saved a man who was threatening to jump off a high bridge into the River Lune.
Bay Gateway bridgeBay Gateway bridge
Bay Gateway bridge

Police, firefighters and lifeboat crews spent more than two hours in a tense stand-off with the man on the new Bay Gateway bridge near to junction 34 of the M6.

Eventually it is understood officers grabbed the man, believed to be in his thirties, before leading him to safety.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A fire brigade spokesman said: “Police tried talking to him for quite some time. Then they grabbed him and pulled him back over the side.

“He was taken off to hospital for a check-up. I think he was very cold.

“The bridge is high and it is quite a drop to the river.”

Firefighters trained in water rescue were called to the scene from Preston, along with a regular crew from Lancaster, at around 8pm last night.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The RNLI launched its Morecambe lifeboat after being called in by the Coastguard. A hovercraft crew was also put on standby, but was not needed.

RNLI Operations Manager, Kevin Jackson, said: “Although it transpired that our services were not required to carry out a rescue operation, no matter what the hour, we will always respond to work alongside other emergency services when lives are at risk.”

The drama began when the man, said to be “despondent,” was seen on the edge of the new Bay Gateway bridge.

The RNLI said they positioned their lifeboat close to the bridge in case the man jumped.

“We stood down at around 9pm when it was confirmed by police officers that the man was in a safe position.”