11 Jun 2012

Man in French Polynesia jumps off crane

9:18 am on 11 June 2012

A 32-year-old man in French Polynesia has jumped to his death off a 35-metre high crane after dozens of police, firefighters and a psychiatrist unsuccessfully tried to save him.

He had been up there for 27 hours but efforts to persuade him to climb down were unsuccessful.

The incident along one of Tahiti's main streets caused massive disruptions.

The man has been identified as a Frenchman who had moved to Tahiti eight months ago.

According to the police he had suffered mental health problems.

The authorities say suicide is the main cause of death for people in the age group 15 to 44.