Investigation by police watchdog after man’s fall from Perth bridge

PIRC launches probe into response before man fell into the Tay

The police watchdog has launched an investigation after a man fell from a city centre bridge at the weekend.

The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) will look into the response prior to a 25-year-old man plunging from the Queen’s Bridge in Perth in the early hours of Saturday morning.

It is understood that police officers were on the scene at the time of the incident.

The announcement of an investigation comes as the search for the man, who has not yet been identified, entered its fifth day, with police divers scouring the River Tay.

A spokesman for the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner said: “The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has instructed the Police Investigations & Review Commissioner to undertake an investigation into the police response in the lead up to a 25-year-old man falling from the Queen’s Bridge in Perth in the early hours of Saturday March 18.

“A report on the Commissioner’s findings will be submitted to the COPFS in due course.”

A spokeswoman for Police Scotland confirmed that police divers were continuing the search but declined to comment on the PIRC investigation.

She said: “The matter has been referred to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner therefore it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

The search for the man was launched at 4am on Saturday after he entered the water.

An extensive operation has involved staff from Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, the coastguard, the RNLI from Broughty Ferry, the Scottish Ambulance Service and a helicopter from Prestwick.

Emergency services probed a large area of the Tay, including a stretch of water at Lower Friarton and also near Inchyra.

A specialist police dive and marine unit focused on Moncreiffe Island on Monday, with additional help provided by police air and operational support units.

Moncreiffe Island divides the Tay into two channels as it flows through Perth.

It is understood that police officers were on the scene at the time of the incident