By Pamela McGowan

Last updated at 12:43, Monday, 23 July 2012

Police have praised the actions of two men who helped officers during a dramatic motorway rescue.

It happened on a bridge over the M6 at junction 40, near Penrith, at 7.10pm on Saturday.

A 32-year-old man, from the Penrith area, had climbed over the railings and threatened to harm himself.

Police were alerted by a passing HGV driver. An officer rushed to the scene to help the man, who had taken a quantity of tablets and alcohol and was struggling to balance on the bridge.

The officer managed to grab him as he lost his footing and hold him up. However, he could not pull him to safety.

Two members of the public stopped to help, grabbing the man and preventing him from falling further. Police back-up arrived and together they were able to pull him back up, over the railings.

The man was taken to the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle for treatment, where he is now recovering.

A police spokesman said: “The actions of the two men who came to assist undoubtedly helped prevent harm coming to this man.

“We would like to thank them for stopping and doing what they did.”

First published at 11:28, Monday, 23 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk