A man survived falling almost 100ft on to a railway line close to Brighton Station this morning (Wednesday 21 March).
The 43-year-old man fell from Highcroft Villas, which overlooks the line near to his home.
He was flown by helicopter to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton where his condition was described as stable but was not believed to be life-threatening.
Sussex Police said that earlier – between 9am and 10am today – officers had spoken to the man.
The force said: “About an hour before his fall police had been called to Highcroft Villas following a report of a man in the street acting confused.
“Officers spoke to the man, who was believed to have mental health issues, and left him in the care of his brother.”
Sussex Police said that it had referred the incident to the Independent Police Complaints Commission as a matter of course because of the officers’ earlier contact with the man.
The force is working with the British Transport Police (BTP) to investigate the circumstances.
Inspector Adele Tucknott said: “This is an unexpected and tragic incident and we are doing all we can to support the family.”
She urged anyone who saw the incident or who had information to contact Sussex Police on 101.
