A number of teams were delayed getting to their matches on Saturday afternoon, after a man started to threaten to throw himself off a bridge by The Forest Harvester restaurant on the M42 close to Bromsgrove around 12.45pm this afternoon.
Players, supporters and club officials from a number of clubs including those of Coventry Sphinx, Bedworth United and Nottingham based Midland Alliance side Dunkirk and rumours of other clubs were held up as the motorway by Bromsgrove and the A38 were closed.
Police negotiators arrived and were trying to talk the man down with North Worcestershire Police commander, Supt Kevin Purcell, saying: “We understand the frustration of the public, especially now that this episode has gone on for a number of hours.
“We are doing all we can to resolve the situation as quickly as possible, and are following national guidelines, while our number one priority is the protection of life.”
Coventry Sphinx's FA Vase match at Hereford based Wesfields was delayed until 4pm, with some players not even making it to their games due to the motorway being closed for most of the afternoon and evening.
Source: Coventry MAD
Source: FOOTYMAD
