Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Orwell Bridge Jumper Prevention

Guys,
if you have a moment could I ask you to sign this.
http://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/601839

As you may know I spent 3 hrs on the bridge once due to a jumper, unlike the eco warriors on the M25 he was arrested & sentenced for disturbing the peace when in reality I guess he was mentally ill. He had been discharged from hospital as sane that day and immediately went to the bridge to jump. As I was stopped near him I could hear members of the public egging him on to jump which makes me worry about our so called society.

Today there was yet another jumper and they occur regularly, so if you can help I ask you to sign this. The petition started in 2021 has this telling intro:-

"More safety measures are needed on the Orwell Bridge, such as higher barriers, similar to those installed on the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol.

This year (2021) alone (up to 27th October) the Suffolk police were called out to the bridge over 'concern for safety' incidents 188 times. The Government should ensure that Highways England takes action to protect the public.

The number of call outs for safety concerns has risen year on year. In 2017 there were 85 call outs, with 86 in 2018, 110 in 2019, 163 in 2020 and this year 188 so far."
John

Done..

Would it make any difference though?

If somebody is determined to end their own life then they will. My partner is a nurse and has had involvement in cases where patients have come in with a stomach full of paracetamol, are treated and then back again within hours having repeated the process.

Have to say its a particularly strange response by the scuffers, somebody must have wanted to boost their arrest rates!

Equally surprised that somebody in the CPS thought it was in the public interest to prosecute the poor bugger

Arwyn

Me too. I don't know if it will stop a determined person but probably helps with the cry for help group.

Done.

If it saves even a few lives, it will be worth it.

Also signed

Thanks

Done

Done.
I once had a call when on 999 receiving at our Ops room from someone on a bridge over the A40 near Carmarthen. Young male threatening to jump. We got him safely off the bridge within about 20 minutes. From talking to him he sounded as needing help with mental health issues. I still remember all the details. It was a tough call to take but it turned out ok.
I went for a coffee at the end to come down from the high intensity. My Inspector oversaw the incident and we chatted about it too.
A colleague took a 999 from a man who simply gave his name and location. Got her to confirm them. She asked why and he said “ so you know where to come”. Loud bang. Suicide by shotgun.
Mental health issues were always tough ones as the outcome was never predictable.
We had some regulars and developed a rapport to help sort out the call.
One big common factor is the less than satisfactory level of care when they are outside the safety of residential units. We would often be contacted to attend by various social care organisations instead of them. We couldn’t refuse, no matter how annoying. Police were ( still are) the go-to for shortcomings in other organisations.

Done