The man who plunged to his death in Falmouth Docks on Monday afternoon had been talked down from railings at the same spot by police on Saturday.

The 44 year-old from Truro had been detained under the Mental Health Act in the early hours of Saturday morning after being talked down by police called to a popular viewing platform overlooking the docks.

But at Monday lunchtime he returned, and died of his injuries following a 100ft fall into the shipyard below.

In a statement released on Wednesday morning, a force spokesperson said: "Devon and Cornwall Police received a call in the early hours of Saturday morning (9/4) that a 44-year-old man from Truro was on the wrong side of the railings at Pendennis Point, Falmouth.

"Police attended and managed to talk this man back, and he was detained under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act for a mental health assessment.

"Police were called at 1.30pm on Monday April 11 that a man had fallen from the cliffs at Pendennis Point and was pronounced deceased at the scene. This was the same man who was on the wrong side of the railings on the April 9.

"A file is being prepared for the coroner and his death not currently being treated as suspicious."

Police and ambulance were both called to Pendennis Rise at around 1.30pm, and paramedics provided emergency care while the air ambulance was also called to transfer the man to hospital.

However, he was later pronounced dead.

Dr Ellen Wilkinson, medical director of Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, which provides the mental health care for the county, said: “We would like to express our condolences to the family and friends of the man involved in the recent incident at Falmouth Docks, which will be subject to a coroner’s inquest.  

“The police are able to detain a person from a public place, under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act if they believe the person has a mental illness and is in need of care.

“After being assessed by three professionals a person may be sectioned (detained in hospital for further assessment, care or treatment), agree to be admitted to hospital for a period of care or receive treatment in the community, for example from a community mental health team. Alternatively the professionals may decide there is no evidence of a mental illness or the need for any treatment."

Police added that the death was not being treated as suspicious, and the man's next of kin have been informed.

A&P Falmouth, which operated Falmouth Docks, said it did not wish to issue a statement on the incident.

If you have any concerns about mental health, The Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and can be contacted free on 116 123 or emailed at jo@samaritans.org