Turkish President ‘saves man from jumping off bridge’

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has performed a good Christmas deed – by using his rhetoric skills to talk down a man from jumping off a bridge in Istanbul.

The presidential party quickly pulled over to offer assistance in an effort to dissuade the man from taking his own life.

The man, who has not been named, was thought to be preparing to jump when Recep Erdogan was passing over the 211ft-tall bridge, which links Europe with Asia.

Footage from the private Doğan news agency shows the man, whom presidential sources said was from the southeastern province of Siirt and was having problems with his wife, talking to Erdoğan, who remained seated in the back seat of his auto. After a few moments, the man is seen kissing Erdogan’s hand – a Turkish custom symbolizing respect and deference.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, talked Vezir…

An official from the president’s office told Associated Press news agency he had promised to help him. They then escorted the man to the window of the president’s vehicle.

The iconic bridge spanning the Bosphorus at a height of 64 metres is a frequent suicide spot.

Erdogan gave instructions for officials to solve the man’s problems before driving off.