UPDATE: Police say they have found a body in the river Severn

Original story

THE emergency services are searching for a 62-year-old man who fell off the Worcester Bridge this morning.

A concerned member of the public called the police at 12.49am after the man climbed over the bridge barrier.

The man, from Worcester, plunged into the River Severn after officers tried to speak to him at 1.17am.

A search of the river was carried out but no one has been found and the emergency services are now appealing for information.

Detective Sergeant Ollie Moore said: "We will be working with our emergency service colleagues today to continue the search of the river.

“While we are obviously concerned about the welfare of the man we are keeping an open mind.

"If the man has left the river safely I would ask him to make contact with us as a matter of urgency so we can end our search.

"I'd also appeal to anyone out walking down river from the Worcester Bridge today to report anything suspicious to police."

Firefighters, police officers and paramedics took part in the effort to rescue the man.

An eyewitness said the emergency services arrived seconds after the individual fell into the River Severn.

One resident, who lives opposite the bridge, said police cars were still at the scene at 2.30am.