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More on KentOnline
A man took his own life by plunging from the Dartford Crossing after being investigated by police over a robbery, an inquest heard.
Rajinder Singh Sahota spent several hours at the highest point of the QEII Bridge threatening to jump while negotiators attempted to talk him down.
Mr Sahota had been part of a gang being investigated by police for a "large-scale robbery" and for conspiring to handle millions of pounds of stolen goods, a coroner was told.
He had left his home in Buckinghamshire early on Sunday, March 10 to visit his mother in Kent.
At 11.04am, Essex Police received a call that a man had left his car and was on the edge of the bridge threatening to jump.
Police and negotiators arrived at the scene and Mr Sahota was on his mobile phone to a family member, saying "they're never going to leave me alone. I'm going to jump off the bridge and kill myself".
Negotiator Andy Drake, giving evidence at the inquest at Gravesend's Old Town Hall said: "Negotiations were very difficult. He was swearing and didn't want to talk to me.
"We were pleading with him to please come back to the other side. He was saying 'shake my hand and I'll go'. It was like he wanted permission and I wouldn't do it."
Family members arrived at the scene, but were not allowed onto the bridge.
Mr Drake added: "The situation was very difficult. I didn't think it was a good idea. We were aware people were nearby, but I still believe that wouldn't have been best in the situation."
An attempt was made to grab Mr Sahota when he was handed a cup of tea, but he fought off two police officers before returning to the edge.
A few minutes later, he jumped.
The self-employed car salesman was rescued from the water by a waiting RNLI crew and taken to the jetty at Greenhithe.
He was later pronounced dead at Darent Valley Hospital.
Coroner Roger Hatch said: "Mr Sahota unfortunately decided it was his desire to end his life by jumping.
"I have no alternative than to record that Rajinder Singh Sahota took his own life."
