A man was talked down from the Dartford River Crossing by police on Saturday afternoon after he was seen on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge.

Police were called to the crossing at about 3.41pm following concerns raised for the welfare of the man.

Traffic was at a standstill while officers dealt with the incident and the crossing was closed for a short time.

Witnesses reported seeing a lifeboat on the water underneath the bridge during the incident but police later said the man talked down by officers.

A spokesman for Gravesend RNLI said: "The lifeboat was tasked to a person threatening to jump into the river at Erith.

"The lifeboat proceeded and on route received further information that the person was on the QE2 Bridge.

"Once on scene information was received that the casualty was indeed on the bridge and had been taken into police custody.

"The lifeboat was then stood down and returned to station."

A spokesman for Kent Police added: “The crossing was closed for a short time to allow officers to ensure the safety of the man who is now safe and well.”