A Hampshire police officer has been hailed a hero after lunging to prevent a man throwing himself 70ft off a city centre car park.
PC Richard Glover is being praised for his actions, which stopped the 28-year-old from jumping to his death from the top of the multi-storey in Winchester.
The man had apparently been drinking on Sunday afternoon and had decided to end his life by plummeting from the top of the building in Chesil Street.
However, a passer-by noticed the man, who has not be named, as he sat with his legs dangling over the precipice, and called the police who responded by sending out several officers.
One of those was beat officer PC Glover who persuaded the man to move away from the building's edge so they could talk to him further.
However, as the man backed off from the drop, PC Glover ran towards him and tackled him to the ground to prevent him changing his mind.
The man was detained and taken to the North Walls police station for medical assessment, before being later released without charge after the incident, which happened shortly after 2pm on Sunday.
PC Glover, 28, who has been in the force for three years, said: "It's the first time I have had to stop someone like this, but the look on his face and his demeanour really made me feel he would go, so we knew we had to act.
"Initially he was about 30ft away, but after talking to him for a while and getting him to move away from the wall, we pounced and got him to the ground.
"It's our job to stop people in this kind of situation, and by getting them to somewhere safe where they can receive medical help, they will hopefully then get a second chance at life, so I was very pleased with the outcome."
North Walls patrol Sgt Mark Voller said: "I was impressed by the way PC Glover dealt with the situation.
"He engaged the man in conversation and persuaded him to move away from the edge.
"As the man began to move, Richard seized the opportunity to run forward and take him to the ground, where he was restrained for his own safety.
"Had he not done so there was still a real chance the man could have jumped.
"There can be no real training for such situations. The first officer on the scene has to weigh up the risks to the public, and to himself or herself, and make a decision.
"Usually, it is better to talk with the person in distress, however long it takes, or get other professionals involved.
"Sometimes, though, decisive action is required."
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