A 13-YEAR-OLD boy from Newton Abbot was rescued by police this afternoon (fri) amid fears he was about to leap off a bridge at Drumbridges on to the A38.

All three emergency services rushed to the busy dual carriageway to stop traffic in both directions while the youngster was encouraged to move to safety.

Multiple 999 calls were made to police by motorists concerned for the lad’s welfare as he dangled one leg over the parapet on the wrong side of safety railings.

The alarm was first raised at 11.50am with the drama concluded just 40 minutes later with the boy being led away by officers.

A police spokeswoman immediately praised the many motorists who had alerted them about the potentially perilous incident.

‘We were grateful for the calls received. The youngster involved is now safely in our care,’ she said.

The drama was enacted over the Exeter-bound carriageway with the busy Devon Expressway closed at Pear Tree Cross and Drumbridges.