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Anger As Distressed Woman Taunted On M3 Bridge

Anger As Distressed Woman Taunted On M3 Bridge

Police have condemned members of the public who taunted a distressed woman as she stood on a bridge over the M3 motorway.

Officers said offensive comments made by drivers as negotiators tried to help the woman to safety were "completely unacceptable".

The M3 at Sunbury in Surrey was closed for over two hours as the incident took place on Saturday morning.

One driver in the traffic jam tweeted Surrey Police, saying: "Tell her to get on with it.

"Bloody ruining everyone's weekend. Sat in this for an hour and a half now".

Another user wrote: "To the person causing traffic jam on the M3/A316, you selfish, selfish t***."

The user added: "Surrey police, can't you rubber bullet the jumper on M3/A316 and get the traffic moving?

"Or get net ready & charge her? Ridiculous."

In a statement, Inspector Julie Hillman, from Surrey Police, said: "Having members of the public taunt somebody who is clearly in a distressed state as we did earlier today is completely unacceptable.

"I hope the public understand why it was necessary for us to close the road as doing so helped save the woman's life.

"I appreciate that being stuck in traffic is the last thing that people want to be doing, particularly on a weekend when the weather is hot.

"But on this occasion it was completely necessary to ensure officers saw this woman to safety."

She said the woman was helped to safety and detained under the Mental Health Act.

:: Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 08457 90 90 90 or email jo@samaritans.org.