Man in horror fall through Waverley roof

Published on Saturday 14 June 2008 10:22

A MAN was rushed to hospital early today after falling around 70ft from North Bridge and through the roof of Waverley Station.

Police were called to the station at around 4.45am after the man plunged through the glass roof and onto the road near the taxi rank.

A section of the station was cordoned off by police, and the man's shirt and broken glass lay on the ground. A gaping whole was also left the in the station's roof.

Police said today the man was being treated at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for serious head injuries, though his condition was unknown.

One eyewitness said: "The station was swarming with police officers.

"It looks like the guy fell from North Bridge through the glass roof and ended up near the car drop-off area.

"A police officer told me he had been taken to hospital but was alive."

A police spokesman said investigations were continuing but it was too early to say whether the incident had been an accident.

The spokesman added: "The latest update we've had from the hospital is that he sustained serious head injuries and multiple fractures.

"We got the call at about 4.45 this morning but the incident had happened by the time we got there.

"We are still trying to positively identify him and there is no indication of how he came to be there.

"We would appeal for any witnesses who saw the incident or knows anything about it to come forward and get in touch with us."

Calls have already been made to install safety nets under North Bridge to tackle the number of people attempting suicide by jumping off.

There have been a series of incidents in recent years which have brought the busy road to a standstill as police deal with people threatening to jump.

Last March, a 22-year-old man died after falling through the roof at a similar spot. Months later, a 38-year-old man fell through the glass roof survived after landing on the metal girders underneath.

And in September the previous year, a 40-year-old man was rescued from the station roof after falling from the bridge.

Police chiefs argue they have no choice but to close the four lanes when someone on the bridge threatens to take their own life. Rail platforms are also closed for the safety of passengers. On most occasions people are talked down from the ledge or come down of their own accord.