1.
LV STREET.
0.03

2.
SV POLICE ON ROOF PAN TO MAN WITH CHILD.
0.10

3.
TV CROWD AND AMBULANCE (2 SHOTS).
0.15

4.
LV PRIEST TALKS WITH MAN.
0.37

5.
LV DITTO PAN DOWN TO CROWD AND SAFETY NETS.
0.47

6.
SV POLICE OVERPOWER MAN; CHILD IS PASSED TO SAFETY.
1.11

7.
SV POLICEMAN AND POLICEWOMAN LEAVE BUILDING.
1.22

8.
SCU MAN ON STRETCHER LEAVES BUILDING.
1.32

9.
CU POLICEMAN AND CROWD.
1.32

10.
LV AMBULANCE AWAY.
1.35



Initials AA/V-B/WH/LW



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: A LIFE AND DEATH DRAMA IN LONDON THIS AFTERNOON (TUESDAY) WHEN A MAN, HOLDING A YOUNG CHILD IN HIS ARMS, APPEARED ON THE ROOF OF A 60 FOOT (18 METER) HIGH BUILDING.

TENSE CROWDS GATHERED IN THE STREET AS POLICE AND FIREMEN EDGED NEAR THE MAN AND HIS 18-MONTH-OLD BABY SWAYING ON THE ROOF TOP. AS THE MINUTES PASSED, A PRIEST PLEADED WITH THE MAN TO COME DOWN, WHILE BELOW SAFETY NETS WERE HELD OUT.

AS ONE DESPERATE ATTEMPT FAILED, ANOTHER WAS PLANNED. POLICEWOMAN MARGARET CLELAND MOVE ALONG THE PARAPET. TALKING ALL THE TIME, SHE PICKED UP A WHITE COAT AND WENT TO PUT IT ROUND THE BABY'S SHOULDERS. SUDDENLY SHE GRABBED THE MAN AND BABY AND THEY FELL ON TO THE ROOF. BEFORE THE MAN COULD LEAP CLEAR, POLICE AND FIREMEN JUMPED ON TOP OF HIM AND BOTH MAN AND BABY BROUGHT SAFELY DOWN. IT WAS ALMOST TWO HOURS SINCE THE MAN HAD FIRST APPEARED ON THE ROOF TOP.

WHEN THE 23-YEAR-OLD POLICEWOMAN EMERGED FROM THE BUILDING A TREMENDOUS CHEER CAME FROM THE CROWD WAITING IN THE STREET.

THE MAN WHO'D KEEP EVERYONE IN SUSPENSE WAS TAKEN TO HOSPITAL WITH HIS BABY SON. HE WAS IDENTIFIED AS A 31-YEAR-OLD GARAGE OWNER WHOSE WIFE HAD LEFT HOME LAST MONTH.