Man up Sky Tower talked down

Photo / Dean Purcell

Police have successfully negotiated with a man who appeared to be threatening to jump from the Sky Tower.

The 40-year-old Auckland man was doing the Skywalk - a 1.2m-wide walkway around the Sky Tower, 192m above the ground.

Control inspector Danny Meade told NZPA that two police negotiators have successfully talked the man down.

"We now have him in custody. He is believed to have mental health issues and is in hospital for a check-up," Mr Meade said.

The man, of Middle Eastern descent, was said to have some immigration problems.

Two police negotiators and several supervisors spent four hours talking to the man at the top of the building. They received the call at 11.25am, and he was successfully talked down at 3.20pm.

Nearby Federal Street and Victoria Street were closed, and an ambulance and high angle fire rescue team was on stand-by.

Dozens of spectators gathered to watch below.

The man did not sustain any injuries during the incident.

- NZPA