Anger as bystanders tell man to jump from bridge
Thursday 20 September 2012
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EmailA man who plunged from a building in Portsmouth on Tuesday was urged to jump by onlookers, it was revealed today.
The 26-year-old fell from the building after a crowd had congregated, with some taunting him and others filming his fall.
The man, who is from Portsmouth, remains in Southampton General Hospital in a serious condition.
In a statement released through Hampshire police, the family of the man said he was "a vulnerable man who has had to deal with some significant challenges in his life and when he clearly needed compassion and understanding was met with cruel taunts and encouragement to end his life."
A Hampshire police spokesman added: "This was a disgusting display by members of the public.
"It showed a complete lack of empathy for the person involved and for officers trying to deal with a very sensitive situation under immense pressure.
"We are also saddened to learn that some members of the public felt it appropriate to film the incident and post these videos to social networking sites."
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