A FAMILY is in mourning today after a man plunged to his death from the Orwell Bridge.

A family is in mourning today after a man plunged to his death from the Orwell Bridge.

The tragedy occurred shortly after 6pm yesterday, when drivers saw the man, who was from Ipswich and in his mid-20s, and became concerned about his wellbeing.

Although police were called to the bridge, by the time they arrived the man was already lying on one of its pillars more than 40 metres below.

His body was retrieved by a lifeboat crew.

Last night a spokesman for Suffolk Constabulary said officers were still trying to identify the man so they could trace his next of kin.

The spokesman said: “A male’s body was recovered at the bottom of the Orwell Bridge shortly after 6.10pm. The incident is not being treated as suspicious.

“We had calls from motorists on the Orwell Bridge at 6.02pm and deployed officers to the scene. The body was on the bridge pillars and recovered by the RNLI.

“Inquiries are now continuing to establish the identity of the male.

“We are appealing for anyone who may have seen anything prior to the incident, or near to the area around the time, to telephone us on 01473 613500.”

A spokesman for Thames Coastguard said: “Suffolk police called us at 6.04pm. They told us someone was suspected of jumping from the bridge.

“We sent both the inshore and offshore Harwich lifeboats and Felixstowe Coastguard. The Harwich lifeboats recovered the casualty and transferred him to police at the Orwell Yacht Club just outside Fox’s Marina in Ipswich.”

Paramedics were also sent to the Orwell Bridge.

However, a spokesman for the ambulance service said they were stood down when they arrived, as the man was already understood to have died.

The deceased is believed to have plunged to his death from the Wherstead side of the bridge.

An inquest is due to be held at a later date after an investigation is carried out.

As the tragedy had taken place by the time police arrived it was not considered necessary to shut either of the carriageways of the A14.

If you knew the man who died and would like to pay a tribute to him,

e-mail starnews@eveningstar.co.uk or telephone 01473 324790.

n For help when in need call the Samaritans on their helpline 08457 909090.