A father of one plunged 40 feet to his death from a bridge after he slipped out of his own sweater as three police officers tried in vain to cling onto him.
Two policewomen and a male colleague had grabbed hold of Kyle Smith as he was about to throw himself into the path of traffic on a busy dual carriageway saying ‘I’ve nothing left anymore’.
But as they desperately kept hold of his woolly jumper, Smith, 26, began wriggling and slipped out of their grasp – landing in the path of an oncoming Saab 93 travelling at 50mph.
The former apprentice bricklayer suffered multiple fatal injuries in the ensuing impact and died a short time later.
Inquiries revealed the five minute incident was so swift police were unable to shut the road in time.
An inquest was told the tragedy occurred shortly after Christmas last year when Smith, who had a seven-year-old daughter Skye, had been complaining he was unable to get a council house.
He had also been suffering from depression and drank heavily.
At 7pm on December 27, Smith was spotted standing on the wrong side of the bridge parapet over the A666 near Bolton, Greater Manchester by a policewoman travelling though the town in her patrol car.
PC Susan Slater told the Bolton inquest: “I got out of my car and went to speak to him. At first he indicated for me not to come too near.
“I shouted that I couldn’t hear him as the traffic below was very loud.
“He allowed me to come closer and so I asked him why he was there and explained to him that I would try to help him.
“I tried to tell him to come back over to the right side of the bridge as it would be safer to for both of us.
”He was very agitated and upset and was slurring. He kept saying he had nothing left anymore.”
Within a couple of minutes PC Slater had called for the road to be closed and colleagues PC Melanie Jones and PC David Heald arrived to help persuade Smith to step to safety.
PC Slater and PC Jones grabbed on to Smith’s hands and clothing while PC David Heald climbed over the barrier on the bridge’s parapet to grab the sleeve of his jumper.
But Mr Smith’s jumper began stretching under the weight of him tilting over the edge.
PC Slater said: “Kyle was looking at me directly in the eyes and his clothing was coming away and he just slipped through and fell.”
The driver of the Saab had no chance of avoiding Smith as he landed on the ground and was left in deep shock.
Due to police contact with the victim the case was passed on to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) but no failings were found.
Tests showed Smith was equivalent of three and a half times the drink drive limit when he died.
Bolton Coroner Alan Walsh recorded an open verdict saying Smith was so badly affected by alcohol he was unable to form a ‘rational judgement’ about taking his own life.
Mr Walsh added: ”PC Heald showed immense courage and bravery putting his life at risk.
“Each of these officers showed tremendous courage and great calm in a moment of great stress.
“The conduct of the police was commendable, in particular PC Heald in the courage and bravery he showed by hanging off the bridge to save Kyle’s life.
“That is what we expect from our police officers but it is beyond their duty. Police officers are often underestimated in the efforts they take to preserve life.”
After the case Smith’s mother Margaret Crossley, 49, said: “Kyle was a lovely person who didn’t realise how many friends he had and how loved he was.
“He would do anything for anybody and had a heart of gold. He was a real character and loved chatting to people – he always had a good yarn to tell.
“It was such a shock when the police came round on Friday night to tell us what had happened. We’d only spoken to him on Christmas Day over the phone and everything seemed fine.
“We had no reason to suspect he was down. He adored Skye, and had lots of friends. We’re devastated.”
She added: “We have sent an apology to the driver of the vehicle through the police. We don’t know who he is, but we can’t imagine how he must feel.
“I would like to thank the police officers who tried to help Kyle that night. This will have a huge effect on their lives and I am truly grateful for everything they did.”
