Man Held After Attempt to Leap from Portsmouth’s Round Tower Into Harbour
Police swooped this evening to stop a man trying to jump from Portsmouth’s iconic Round Tower into the freezing harbour waters below.
Emergency Crews Rush to Distressed Man
The drama unfolded shortly after 9.30pm on Sunday, when officers were alerted to a distressed man by the Ministry of Defence Police launch, Sir Geoffrey Rackham. Police swiftly raced to the Hot Walls area in Old Portsmouth, supported by a Coastguard Rescue team and lifeboat crew from Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Independent Lifeboat.
Lifeboat Stand-Down After Man Detained
Initially, it was feared the man had already entered the water, prompting the lifeboat to launch. But police successfully detained him on the shoreline before the situation escalated. The lifeboat was stood down and the man is now in police custody, receiving assistance from experienced professionals at the scene.
The quick action from officers and rescue teams prevented what could have been a tragedy in the chilly waters of Old Portsmouth Harbour.
