Motorist fears over base jumper

The man jumped from the M2 bridge [Picture Kentonline.co.uk]

Police and safety campaigners have criticised a base jumper who parachuted from a motorway bridge in Kent.

The man, who was unharmed, jumped 98ft from the coastbound carriageway of the M2 bridge over the Medway on Wednesday.

"I am very concerned that this activity could have distracted drivers on the motorway, a few metres from where this happened," said Ch Insp Phil Hibben.

"It shows complete thoughtlessness for the possible consequences for his or others' safety."

The parachutist landed on the river bank.

Base jumping, which stands for Building, Antenna, Span, Earth, is the practice of parachuting from fixed objects, often bridges or cliffs.

Paul Smith-Crallan, 25, from Berkshire, died in March 2006 after base jumping from an electricity pylon at Greenhithe Marshes in Swanscombe.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said it was also concerned that the base jumper's actions might have distracted motorists.

"We would not want anyone to be put at risk because of this lack of consideration for others," said spokesman Peter Cornall.