A “quick-thinking” passer-by has been thanked by police officers for saving a man’s life on a bridge in the early hours of the morning.

Essex Police said a man in distress called them shortly after 1am on Sunday.

While the man was on the phone, a member of the public saw him standing on the other side of a railings on a bridge over Queensway in Southend.

The passer-by managed to get hold of the man seconds before officers arrived.

Chief inspector Jo Collins, Southend’s district commander, said the member of the public’s actions “undoubtedly saved this man’s life” and were “an example to us all”.

She said: “I firstly want to offer my personal gratitude, and the gratitude of the whole force, to the member of the public who undoubtedly saved this man’s life.

“His actions during this fast-moving and difficult incident really are an example to us all.

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“Our officers were on the scene within moments, reacting with exemplary care and professionalism over the course of the next hour as they held the man before ensuring he was lifted from the bridge safely.

“I would offer my thanks to them for their efforts in saving him, and for their role in conducting and coordinating the rescue.”

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Police say the man was lifted to safety using specialist equipment by 2am in a joint operation with East of England Ambulance Service and Essex Fire and Rescue Service.

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