A police officer has been praised for talking a man out of jumping from a bridge.

Tense situation - police officers leaning over the side of the Cowdray Avenue rail bridge in an attempt to stop a man from jumping

PC Colin Creelman and a colleague were the first on the scene at about 5.30pm yesterday after a 20-year-old was spotted clambering over the side of the railway bridge near Cowdray Avenue, Colchester.

The police officer spent about an hour talking to the man who was dangling precariously 20 to 30ft above railway tracks.

Acting Sergeant Geoff Yates said a man had been seen climbing over the bridge and he was hanging off the side.

"PC Creelman made contact with him and through very successful and prolonged negotiation, managed to talk him into coming back over into a place of safety."

The man was taken to hospital where Acting Sgt Yates said he was safe and well. "He remained professional throughout. You couldn't have asked for a better job."

Published Tuesday, September 21, 2004

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