Update: 1800 hrs
POLICE can confirm that a man who plunged from the Dartford Crossing shortly after 3pm on Sunday 10 March has been pronounced dead at hospital.
The man, who is believed to be a 42-year-old from Buckinghamshire, had left his car on the QEII bridge shortly after 11am. He had pulled up in lane one before climbing over safety barriers on the bridge, standing on the other side and threatening to jump into the river.
Police officers, including trained negotiators, spent several hours talking to the man trying to get him to come back over the barrier. At 3pm he walked to the apex of the bridge and plunged into the river.
He was recovered by a lifeboat and was taken to an ambulance waiting nearby before being transported to Darenth Valley Hospital in Kent. Police are informing the coroner of the death and a post-mortem is due to take place tomorrow.
The bridge remains closed at this time but police hope to re-open it shortly once the man’s car has been recovered.</pre>
Update: 1745 hrs
A MAN is in hospital after jumping from the QE2 bridge.
Negotiations had been ongoing all day after the man apparently drove half way across the bridge before abandoning his car, climbing over the barriers and threatening to jump.
Trained officers tried to persuade him not to jump but at 3pm, he jumped into the Thames.
Lifeboats were near to the scene and located him. He was transferred to an ambulance and taken to hospital.
His condition at this time, is unclear.
The bridge is likely to remain closed while officers carry out an investigation.
Update: 1700 hrs
No change
M25 Kent – Two lanes closed and delays of one hour and 30 minutes on M25 anticlockwise at A282, Dartford Tunnel toll booths. Tailbacks for six miles. Congestion to J3, M20 (Swanley Interchange).
M25 QE2 Bridge closed and delays of three hours clockwise at A282, Dartford River Crossing, because of a police incident. Diversion in operation – via one of the Dartford Tunnels, meaning that traffic is down to two lanes from the usual four. Tailbacks for five miles. Congestion to before J30, Lakeside.
Update: 1400 hrs
POLICE sources state that a ‘distressed man” is the reason the M25 is blocked.
Log: 1145 hrs
M25 Essex – M25 blocked and queueing traffic clockwise at A282, QE2 Bridge.
Update: 1150 hrs
Two lanes closed and queueing traffic on M25 anticlockwise at A282, Dartford Tunnel toll booths, because of a police incident. Congestion to J1b, A282 (Dartford).
Update: 1215 hrs
M25 closed and queueing traffic clockwise at A282, QE2 Bridge, because of a police incident. Diversion in operation – via one of the Dartford Tunnels. Congestion to J29, A127 (Romford).
Update: 1245 hrs
M25 Kent – Two lanes closed and long delays on M25 anticlockwise at A282, Dartford Tunnel toll booths, because of a police incident. Congestion to J3, M20 (Swanley Interchange).
Updates to follow.
