Suicide man brought to safety

Reporter: Kirsty Rigg
Date online: 10 July 2009

A 31-year-old man who was threatening to throw himself from the top of Rochdale Bus Station last night (Thursday 9 July) was talked down by police.

Crowds gathered at the foot of the building, on Smith Street, at 7.00pm, where the man stood for just under 40 minutes.

Officers managed to bring him to safety and he was detained with a view of being sectioned under the Mental Health Act, but after an investigation he was released.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: “At 7.30pm on Thursday 9 July 2009, police were called to Rochdale Bus Station, Smith Street following reports of a man on top of the building.

Officers spoke to the 31-year-old man and were able to bring him down, safe and well.”

A passer-by, who did not want to be named, said: “Its one of those awful situations where you can’t bear to look yet something keeps you there. The police did a good job and getting him down.”