A potential tragedy was averted by two passersby who spotted a distressed young man sitting on the bridge over the M20.

The man who had his shirt off was sitting on the wall, with his feet dangling down towards the rush-hour traffic below.

The good Samaritans, both women, stopped their cars to talk to the man, who seemed distressed and said he had just been released from hospital. He had scars that looked like they were from self-harming along his arms. They phoned police and continued to calm him until officers arrived.

The incident happened at around lunchtime on Wednesday.

A police spokesman said: "Patrols attended following concerns raised for a distressed man. Officers located the man close to the M20 and, after speaking to him, he was passed into the care of health care professionals."

For confidential support on an emotional issue, call Samaritans on 116 123 at any time.

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