The Itchen Bridge was closed in both directions early this morning after a woman was spotted threatening to jump from the structure. Police rushed to the scene, sealing off the area just before 2:00am.
Officers described the woman as “high risk” as she was seen perched over the bridge’s parapet. A team of specialist police negotiators engaged with her for over an hour to prevent a tragedy.
Two lifeboats and a coastguard rescue team from Hillhead were deployed as part of the emergency response. An ambulance waited on the bridge to provide immediate medical care.
A police spokeswoman said: “We are dealing with an incident on the Itchen Bridge and have sent a number of specialist officers to the scene.”
Just after 3:20am, emergency services successfully persuaded the woman to step back to safety. She is now receiving treatment from the South Central Ambulance Service.
Originally published by UKNIP.
