Police closed off the bridge over the railway line at New Eltham after witnesses said they saw a man threatening to jump.

British Transport Police were called to New Eltham Station at 12.20pm on June 2 with callers concerned about his welfare.

Magda Mucharzewska tweeted to Southeastern: “Well done to your staff for the very quick intervention and the police who just stopped a young suicidal man jumping from the #neweltham station bridge. Shocking sight and so sad. Hope he gets help and finds peace.”

Witnesses said they saw the man sitting on the edge of the bridge over the railway line, just outside the station.

Joy Walsh wrote on the local Eltham Facebook group: “My dad and I got caught up in the traffic in New Eltham when the poor lad was sitting on the bridge wanting to jump off.

“He had his legs bandaged and looked so desperate, it’s not an image I’ll forget in a hurry.”

A spokesperson from British Transport Police said: “Officers were called to New Eltham station at 12.20pm on 2 June following a concern for the welfare of a man. Officers attended and the man was taken to a place of safety.”