President Erdogan's office claims Turkish President talked down man from bridge

Aides claim the man was depressed and planning to jump

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's bodyguards escort the man away from the edge of the bridge (Yasin Bulbul, Presidential Press Service Pool via AP Photo)

The Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan helped talk down a man from a bridge who had been planning to take his own life on Christmas Day, his office his claimed.

Extraordinary television footage obtained Anadolu Agency shows Mr Erdogan's motorcade stopping on Istanbul's Bosporus Bridge after spotting a man standing over the side of the railing. He was reportedly planning to jump, according to Turkish officials.

Mr Erdogan's aides could be seen speaking with the man and frantically gesturing towards Mr Erdogan’s car. The man appeared confused and slowly followed the men, who then pulled him over the side of the railing and escorted him towards the car.

Mr Erdogan kept his phone pressed to his ear during their conversation, but aides said he reassured him that he would help.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's bodyguard tries to convince Vezir Cakras over the Bosporus Bridge in Istanbul (Yasin Bulbul/Presidential Press Service Pool via AP Photo)

His office told The Associated Press the man was experiencing family issues, making him depressed.

The man's current condition is not known.