Thousands urge police to act on Telford car park tragedy goading

The petition has attracted thousands of signatures in the space of hours after it was launched by Telford resident Ceri Ransome in response to a man falling to his death from the roof of the town's Southwater car park on Saturday afternoon.

The top level of a car park where a man fell to his death has been closed while authorities review safety measures at the site.

Telford & Wrekin Council has taken the decision to close the top of the Southwater car park – where there are about 80 spaces – until "further notice".

It comes after a man fell to his death from the top of the car park on Saturday. Also, in January, roads around the site were closed by police when a man threatened to jump from the site.

Nigel Newman, spokesman for Telford & Wrekin Council, said: "Our thoughts remain with family and friends of the man who died at the weekend. There is fencing round the upper tier which at its lowest point is around 6ft high and in many places is considerably higher.

"The car park's design follows national building guidelines for such buildings.

"After Saturday's tragedy, we have closed access to the upper tier while we review if there are any further measures we can take."

Police have reported that some people were telling the man to jump before he fell, and have launched an investigation to see if any laws were broken.

The petition states: "We, the undersigned, request that West Mercia Police take immediate action to find, arrest and charge the people who encouraged a man to jump to his death from a multi-storey building in Telford on March 14.

"The family deserve this justice and the people of Telford want these people to be held accountable for their vile behaviour and complete lack of compassion.

"Our thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of the man concerned at this sad time."

Ms Ransome, who started the petition on Monday, said she was disgusted by what had reportedly happened and wanted to show the world the people of Telford "would not tolerate it".

Ms Ransome, 44, said: "The petition was really to provide the people of Telford who were shocked and horrified by what happened and wanted to express their condolences and sympathy to the family somewhere they could express their feelings.

"There is a lot of feeling out there about this and we have had a really positive reaction to the petition.

"There is also a feeling of anger at what happened and a feeling the people of Telford will not tolerate this."

Meanwhile, Telford MP David Wright condemned those who gathered at the foot of the building and started goading the man.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, he said: "I hope they are ashamed of themselves.

"I hope they are feeling fear.

"There has been revulsion in the community about some of the behaviour we are told happened.

"I don't think what happened reflects what Telford is like and the reaction of the people of Telford shows that."

An investigation into the death of the man will be carried out by the Shropshire coroner, who has been informed of the death.

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