Bridge death man had lost his balance before falling

AN Ammanford man fell to his death from a bridge when he lost hisbalance after banging his fists against the bridge fence.

An inquest into the death of Jim Childs heard he was standing ona narrow ledge on the bridge in Betws when police arrived at thescene.

Two officers tried to speak to the 27-year-old, but he fellbackwards after banging his fists against the fence.

The inquest heard that the officers were present for "no morethan 40 seconds" before Mr Childs, of Park Avenue, Capel Hendre,fell at 11pm on May 19 this year.

Detective Constable David Williams told the inquest that the twoofficers, PC Paul Morgan and PC Gemma Davies, were flagged down by aman named Matthew Evans, who was standing on the bridge.

"Directly behind him on the other side of the fence stood a malenow known to be Jim Walter Childs," he said.

"Mr Evans stated that he felt extremely concerned for the male onthe other side of the fence.

Shout "Both officers tried to speak to Mr Childs, but he began toshout out words that didn't make any sense."

DC Williams added: "The male continued to rant to himself andbanged on the fence with much force, which caused him to losebalance.

"He fell backwards from the ledge. Both officers state they werethere for no more than 40 seconds when Mr Childs fell off theledge."

They raced down an embankment and found Mr Childs "face down inthe water".

He was rushed to Morriston Hospital, but died on Thursday, May21.

A statement from Mr Evans was read out at the inquest, describinghow the officers were trying to calm the man.

"They tried to calm down Mr Childs and asked what was his name,and calm him down."

He then "fell backwards down towards the river".

The inquest heard Mr Childs was depressed after splitting up withhis girlfriend, Julie-Anne Everson. His mother, Karen Bride Childs,said he had been depressed for the past 18 months.

Deputy Carmarthenshire coroner Pauline Mainwaring recorded averdict of accidental death.