A man has suffered multiple injuries after plunging 25ft from a bridge in Canterbury today, despite police efforts to talk him down.

The 22-year-old was spotted on the edge of the footbridge over Pin Hill, between Canterbury East railway station and the city wall, at 1am.

Police and ambulance crews were called and officers spent more than three hours trying to talk him down.

But at 4.10am, the man leapt from the bridge and onto the road below.

He suffered leg, hip and back injuries, and was taken to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.

Canterbury Christ Church student Matt Smith, 22, was watching the drama unfold from his flat opposite, along with dozens of other residents.

He said: "I watched it all from my window. I don't understand what the man's intentions were.

"Police were talking to him for hours, but they couldn't really do much. He kept counting down, but I didn't think he would actually do it..." - witness Matt Smith

"He seemed to be ordering the police about, and threatening to jump if they came any closer.

"Police were talking to him for hours, but they couldn't really do much. He kept counting down, but I didn't think he would actually do it.

"Then he jumped. He was still alive, but it looked like he'd broken his legs. The paramedics were straight on the scene and put him on a stretcher."

Both sides of the road were cordoned off between the Wincheap roundabout and the St Augustine's Library, while officers tried to help the man.

Police spokesman Jon Green said: "Kent Police was called by South East Coast Ambulance to the bridge just after 1am to a report that a 22-year-old man was the wrong side of the bridge and threatening to jump onto the road.

"The man did not respond to any engagement by police officers and several road closures were put in place as a precaution.

"At 4.10am the man jumped and sustained some injuries to his legs, hip and back. He was taken to the William Harvey Hospital."

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