POLICE closed roads after a man climbed over the parapet of a bridge above a busy highway and threatened to jump.

The man, who has not been identified, was seen hanging over the edge of the bridge where Sandford Road crosses the A4074, near the Littlemore Hospital, Oxford, at about 7pm on Friday.

It appears the man was talked down safely by emergency services and taken away in an ambulance.

Former police officer William Dawson, who lives in nearby Barberi Close, Littlemore, was driving close to the scene and witnessed the incident as it unfurled.

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He said: "I saw the man climb over the bridge. It looked like he was going to jump. He climbed over the 5ft divider with tears streaming down his face.

"I called the police, who arrived very quickly and blocked off the A4074 and moved people away who were clearly making him more distressed."

Mr Dawson said three police units and an ambulance arrived at the scene.

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He praised the actions of the emergency services, adding: "It appears that a negotiator, really good police officer or paramedic talked the man down and he was taken away."

The operation led to lengthy delays on nearby routes.

A Thames Valley Police spokeswoman said the force received a report of a fear for welfare incident at 6.24pm on Friday.

They added: “Officers attended and road closures were put in place while they were on scene.

"The incident was resolved safely.”