Humber Bridge fall: Safety fence review

THE Humber Bridge Board has promised to look again at plans to construct a higher pedestrian safety fence – after a man was seen plummeting into the river.

Hull kayaker Ken Oliver and a group of sea paddlers saw the body hit the water after falling 100ft from the Humber Bridge on Saturday morning.

The team were about 400m away and phoned the coastguard after abandoning their trip.

Rescue teams searched the river for two hours after reports of a man seen jumping into the water but they failed to find a body.

Plans for a higher fence on the bridge have been pushed back in recent years but Humber Rescue say it would be a vital deterrent for people jumping in.

Chairman Dave Roberts said: "It seems the wheels move slowly and the plans for the fence have been stalled again.

"It's been discussed since 2007 and it worked in Scarborough at the Valley Bridge when they had a fence constructed."

In 2010, the Humber Bridge Board announced it would replace the existing low-level railings along the bridge with a much higher parapet to ensure the safety of pedestrians and discourage suicide attempts.

The scheme, which would cost up to £4.5m, came after a successful trial of a 328ft (100m) section of fence along the bridge.

Chairman of the Humber Bridge Board Councillor Stephen Parnaby said they have not been able to allocate any funding for the pedestrian safety fence.

He said: "The Humber Bridge has been there for 30 years and the current board has been here for just over 12 months.

"We need to look at the finances and this would be a huge expenditure but the safety fence is a long- term aim."

The East Riding Council leader is one of four politicians with voting powers on the new bridge board.

He said the safety fence would deter people from jumping off although they are often determined to take their own lives.

In 2011, Vicky Norfolk, 31, threw herself off the Humber Bridge after suffering depression because of a skin condition.

It was her third attempt at suicide and her body was discovered 12 months later.

Her mum Anne, 59, of Swanland, said the bridge is too accessible for those wanting to commit suicide and hopes plans for the fence will go ahead.

She said: "I know the bridge in Scarborough was a hotspot for people jumping off and the barriers have worked.

"Although we suspected it was Vicky who fell from the Humber Bridge, we were in the dark for a long time.

"It can be a few hours or a few years before a body turns up and it's dreadful for those who discover something like that.

"Not knowing someone is that desperate must also be really hard.

"A higher fence would work and I also think there should be a phone installed for people to ring the Samaritans.

"It would be such a help and might stop someone from jumping off."