A MAN was seriously injured after plunging from Weymouth Town Bridge and landing on a concrete parapet.

He was among of group of three who had been diving from the bridge when the horror accident happened this evening.

The fall was witnessed by hundreds of people out on the quay enjoying the early evening sunshine.

Onlookers said the man, thought to be in his 20s, lost his footing as he clambered on the structure and prepared to dive into the water.

He fell about 15ft from the bridge tower onto concrete. Initial reports suggested he suffered back, pelvic and wrist injuries.

It was a delicate operation to get him out of the parapet and into an ambulance and it involved a major operation with paramedics, firefighters, coastguards and police. The injured man was seen to be talking to rescue crews as they lifted him out using a hydraulic platform before taking him to hospital.

The bridge was closed off for a while.

A Dorset Police spokesman said: “We received a call at 7pm from CCTV control operators reporting someone had dived off the bridge and hit the concrete.

“Witnesses say three people had jumped into the water and were climbing up a second time when one of them fell.

“He suffered injuries to his wrist, back and pelvis although we don’t believe he hit his head.”

Witness Ryan Hope saw the drama unfold.

Mr Hope, a Weymouth and Portland borough councillor, said he saw two men successfully jump from the bridge into the water. The third had climbed three quarters of the way up the tower when he slipped and landed on the parapet below.

Mr hope said: "If he’d landed on his head it would have been another matter.”

He added: “It’s an offence to jump off the bridge. It’s well indicated and cameras cover the area.

“The borough council would strongly advise no-one else does this as this is the kind of injury that could happen.”

A man who didn’t want to give his name said: “I saw the man had injuries and kept him still until the emergency services came.

“The message needs to get out that it’s a bad idea to jump off the bridge.”

Nigel Chainey visiting from France said: “I thought it was something to do with a boat and I saw all these firecrews with their extended ladder. I thought ‘wow, this is a mega event.’ Then someone told me what had happened."