Negotiators talk woman down from M62 bridge

stretch of motorway was closed for several hours on Thursday when a man, who has not yet been named, fell to his death.

Kate Bottley tweeted: “Currently sat in completely stationary traffic on the M62, praying for the person on the bridge ahead and those who are working with them @samaritans @ MindCharity.”

Highways England, the roads authority, tweeted to motorists after the incident concluded: “Many thanks for your patience during this difficult incident.”

The latest incident may lend some increased urgency to Highways England’s plans to improve safety at the bridge after a coroner, Peter Merchant, demanded to know in May what measures Kirklees Council, Calderdale Council and the roads authority were considering. He spoke out after hearing about yet another tragic death at the bridge: “It seems to me that further precautions ought to be considered to try to deter people from using that bridge to end their lives.”

Last year, Highways England revealed that although there have been seven deaths in eight years still no prevention measures were planned for the bridge, which was built in the 1970s and sits on the border of Kirklees and Calderdale.

In May, the Examiner reported that eight months after saying nothing could be done, Highways England had now confirmed it was investigating how to reduce the suicide risk from the bridge, sometimes also known as the rainbow bridge, which straddles the M62.

In July the agency told the Examiner it was looking at erecting a new barrier - though there is as yet no height for it - and improving lighting on the bridge.

A spokeswoman for Highways England said then: “Any death on our roads is one too many and we recognise the important role we can play in influencing and supporting a wider community-based approach to suicide prevention.

“We are looking at the potential to put up a new barrier and lighting on Scammonden Bridge and are working with Samaritans, campaign group Bridge the Gap, the local councils and public health authorities in the region to address the wider issues.”