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Police have slammed onlookers who urged a suicidal man to jump before he plunged to his death from the roof of a multi-storey car park.

The victim, aged in his 40s, was encouraged to leap from the ledge by the baying mob.

Some even filmed the tragedy on their mobile phones on Saturday.

Shockingly, witnesses revealed some members of the public gathered before shouting "Get on with it", "Go on, jump," and even asking: "How far can you bounce?"

Officers were called to the scene outside the busy Southwater shopping centre in Telford, Shrops., at around 1pm.

Despite specialist negotiators attempts to talk him down the man jumped to his death from the car park at 3.40pm.

Yesterday West Mercia Police condemned the "appalling" actions of the crowd of shoppers who gathered to taunt the suicidal man, who has not yet been identified.

Inspector Ben Smith, from the force's operational control centre, said he was shocked by the sickening comments hurled at the vulnerable victim.

He said: "Obviously we would certainly not be supportive of that kind of behaviour.

"It is pretty appalling because it is someone who is clearly in need of support and assistance. That behaviour is something we would condemn.

"Clearly what that individual needed was time and space and a professional to help them out.

"The individual would have been in need of care and support and appropriate intervention from medical professionals, so anything like that to encourage someone to jump should be unequivocally condemned."

Witness Kelly-Anne Taylor, 35, from Telford, said: "People were recording it with their phones and yelling at him to jump.

"I can't stop thinking about it. I was up town when it was happening and how much I wish I could have tried to help him.

"I am so heartbroken for him and his family. Onlookers were yelling at him to jump.

"I am so disappointed in the actions of some of our citizens during a time of crisis. I am so incredibly sad for him.

"I work in town and I am going to find it hard to be up there every day."

Kelly Porter-Smith, 20, added: "I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I was disgusted at their actions.

"Some of them were fully grown men, and should have known better.

"It made me ashamed to be from Telford. I cannot understand how people can be so evil."

The car park finally reopened on Saturday evening.

A spokesman for Telford & Wrekin Council, which owns the site, said: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who died at Southwater.

"On the upper tier of the car park there is perimeter fencing approx six feet high which is topped with security wire."

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We can confirm we were called to a car park at Telford shopping centre on Saturday afternoon.

"Unfortunately a man was confirmed dead at the scene by medics at around 3.40pm."

For emotional support contact Samaritans on 08457 909090 or click here for more details.