M6 closed for four hours

The M6 was closed for four hours today when a young man, who is believed to be an ex-soldier, threatened to jump from a bridge over the motorway just south of junction 32 at Broughton.

Police and ambulance personnel with BASICS doctor Vic Calland were in attendance whilst negotiators patiently persuaded the man to abandon his protest. It is believed the incident was sparked by a dispute involving the Child Support Agency that had escalated until it involved the International Court. 

The man stated that he had come prepared for a 72 hour protest, but his four hour stoppage of one of the countries busiest motorways caused tailbacks on the M6, M65, M61 and M55 as well as totally gridlocking the whole of Preston city centre. Ambulance crews and Highways Agency staff distributed water to the drivers trapped between Standish and Lancaster, Blackpool and Chorley. 

The incident started around 11:30 am and was finally resolved when the man voluntarily climbed back over the motorway bridge safety barrier. Dr Vic Calland said "It was apparent from an early stage that the man was protesting rather than suicidal. A fall from that height does not usually kill, but does permanently cripple the individual. We were obviously concerned that he could slip whilst he protested.