POLICE, fire and ambulance crews stood by early today when a man threatened to jump into the Mersey at Warrington Bridge.
A fire service rapid response team was ready to plunge into the river to rescue the man if he jumped - but eventually he was "talked down" by his partner.
The drama was in the early hours of the morning and at least eight emergency vehicles attended the scene.
A fire service spokesman said: "We had men attached to lines read to dive in if the man jumped. But eventually he was persuaded not to jump."
Fire crews from Warrington were also involved in the rescue of a police officer who broke his ankle going to the assistance of a man in the Mersey at Widnes.