Man found dangling from bridge arrested

POLICE were forced to shut one of Plymouth's busiest roads after reports of a man dangling himself from a footbridge with a rope around his waist.

Police were sent to the bizarre alleged incident in Gdynia Way – part of which is also known as Shapters Road – at 9pm on Thursday.

Members of the public had reported seeing a man dangling from the footbridge over the busy road at its approach to the Cattedown roundabout, police said.

A crowd of onlookers gathered as police officers closed busy Gdynia Way in both directions.

SPECIAL LUNCH AND DINNER MENU

Zucca Restaurant

View details

Print voucher

From Monday to Friday,
Come and enjoy our special menu at £12 per person for 3 course-meal.

Terms: Not in conjunction with any other offers.
From Monday to Friday for lunch and dinner.
Subject to availability.

Contact: 01752 424381

Valid until: Wednesday, July 31 2013

They also shut Barbican Approach – the road leading to the Barbican Leisure Park – while firefighters were called upon to remove the uninjured man.

The roads were not reopened until 10.15pm.

By that time traffic had backed up into and out of the city, eye-witnesses said.

A man named locally as Lee Bassett, aged 29 and from Plymouth, was arrested at the scene and taken to Charles Cross Police Station for interview.

He was later charged with causing danger to other road users, police said.

He was released on police bail to appear at Plymouth Magistrates' Court on February 11.

Road users said the traffic was badly disrupted through the city at the time of the alleged incident.

Theatre-goers trying to get home from the city centre were among those stuck in the backed-up traffic.

Many took to social networks to complain, some even posting pictures of a man appearing to be dangling from a bridge wearing a harness.