A DESPERATE Trowbridge 16-year-old tried to kill himself twice in only four days.

The boy, who cannot be named, first tried to throw himself from the top of Castle Place car park on Sunday afternoon (November 18), but was talked down by police officers.

Then on Wednesday night he sat on the railway line near Trowbridge station. Trains had to be halted while police officers went on to the tracks to detain him.

The boy was held for some hours under the Mental Health Act, but later released without charge.

The drama started when the teenager telephoned police from a call box saying he was going to try to kill himself again.

The call was traced and officers went to the phone box which is just yards from the railway line.

The boy was spotted on the line at Barrow Crossing, on the Bradford on Avon side of the station.

Trained negotiators were brought in and trains halted at 11.20pm, while they tried to persuade the boy to move away from the line.

The negotiators spent an hour talking to the boy who was very distressed.

Sgt Ron Peach said: "There were great fears for his safety and the safety of officers which is why the trains were stopped."

Passengers travelling on the Portsmouth to Cardiff service were left stranded at the platform as negotiations continued with the boy just yards away, further down the track.

Wales and West Trains provided taxis between stations for passengers affected by the drama. The line was re-opened just after midnight.

On Sunday, the boy was spotted by a passer-by preparing to jump from the top of the car park in St Stephen's Place.

Police officers went to the scene, and two officers managed to get close enough to the boy to talk to him.

Sgt Roger Bull and PC Emma Harris spent three hours talking to him, and trying to coax him down.

He was taken to Trowbridge police station, and handed over to Wiltshire County Council social workers.

Trowbridge police spokesman Inspector Jon Tapper said officers helped save the teenager's life.

He said: "They were reassuring him and trying to get him to come down to get him out of danger.

"I would hope that he gets the help and care he needs from whichever organisation is responsible but it is not the police."

John Matthews, of Wiltshire's social services department, said: "Following the incident on Sunday, the boy was provided with the necessary medical support and that support, and the social support he requires, is continuing.

Mr Matthews said: "We are keeping it under constant review as his circumstances change."