Zimbo dies in suicide jump from UK bridge

A Zimbabwean man has died in Leeds, in the UK from a suspected suicide jump from a bridge. Washington Jijita, a former teacher, was found dead at a bridge near Leeds Met University. Reports say the Zimbabwean hit a car as he plunged from the city centre bridge.

Leeds inner ring road was closed for several hours after the incident on Saturday night. The 50-year-old, from Leeds, fell from Woodhouse Lane bridge, just outside the city centre, at about 7.45pm. He landed on a black Toyota Avensis that was being driven along the A58 inner ring road, causing himself fatal injuries and injuring the driver, a 40-year-old man.

The traumatised man was taken to Leeds General Infirmary for treatment to cuts and bruises. A passing driver said: “I drove over the inner ring road at around 8pm on Saturday and noticed that traffic was queuing – then when I returned home after 11pm there was a police van parked across the carriageway, forcing traffic to turn off towards the Clarendon Wing.

“I knew then it must have been a serious incident for the road to be affected for so long. It is very sad.” The death is not being treated as suspicious. A file has been passed to the coroner. Rumours were awash in the Zimbabwean community in Leeds, on the possible causes of the accident.

A man who represented himself as a former student of Mr Jijita’s said the deceased was a well respected teacher who was studying at Leeds University. He is survived by his wife and three children. Mourners are gathered at the family’s home in Gipton.