M42 Closed For Over 20 Hours As Man Threatens To Jump Off Bridge

Motorway Closed For Over 21 Hours
Embargoed to 0001 Monday July 1. File photo dated 04/04/13 of police tape as police officers should have their pensions docked as punishment for the most serious cases of misconduct in a bid to improve ethics within the service, a group of influential MPs has said.
Embargoed to 0001 Monday July 1. File photo dated 04/04/13 of police tape as police officers should have their pensions docked as punishment for the most serious cases of misconduct in a bid to improve ethics within the service, a group of influential MPs has said.
Joe Giddens/PA Wire

UPDATE: The M42 has reopened and police have successfully talked the man down.

Part of a busy motorway was still closed on Sunday morning because a man was threatening to jump off a bridge.

The M42 was closed between the M5 and junction 1 at Bromsgrove at 12.45pm on Saturday as police negotiated with the man.

West Mercia Police said he was still on the A38 bridge over the M42 on Sunday morning.

Supt Kevin Purcell, of West Mercia Police, said: "I would like to apologise to all motorists and local people who have experienced significant disruption as a result of this incident.

"Clearly, we strive to resolve such matters as quickly as possible, but I would like to make it clear that the threat of harm both to the individual concerned and to vehicles driving on the M42 is so significant that there was no alternative but to close the motorway, and for it to remain closed until the incident has run its course.

"Once again I apologise for any inconvenience caused and would thank members of the public and local community for their patience and understanding."

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