HAMPSHIRE’S emergency services have criticised the actions of a prankster who sparked a full-scale rescue operation when he fell from the Itchen Bridge.

As reported by the Daily Echo yesterday, the 24-year-old man had been walking along the edge of the 80ft-high bridge as he made his way back to his home in Woolston after a night out in the city centre.

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The man, who had been drinking, then lost his footing and plunged around 60ft into the River Itchen, causing a full blown emergency callout.

Police, coastguard and ambulance crews as well as Southampton’s Harbour Master were called out to rescue the man, who spent around 20 minutes in the water after the fall at around 4.30am on Saturday.

Remarkably, no bones were broken in the fall and he escaped with only slight neck pain.

Following the rescue, the emergency services are calling on people to consider the consequences their actions could have.

Coastguard spokesman Fred Caygill said: “Far too often we see lots of resources tasked to incidents that need not have happened in the first place.

“Here we see a young man in drink who has not only put himself in considerable risk of injury or death but has also diverted valuable resources that may have been needed at other life saving situations.”

PC Gassan Shaladan of Bitterne police station said the man was lucky to escape with his life.

He said: “Deliberately walking on the edge of the bridge is not only dangerous but potentially life-threatening.

“This young man was very lucky to escape without major injury, but the outcome could have been very different.

“A lot of resources were also pumped into attending this incident, which could have been easily prevented.”

Paramedics checked the man, who has not been identified, at the scene before he was taken to Southampton General Hospital and treated for neck pains