A stretch of a major Midlands motorway has reopened after police were in a stand-off lasting more than 24 hours with a man who threatened to harm himself on a bridge.
Police closed the M42 between the M5 and junction 1 at Bromsgrove after officers were called to the scene.
West Mercia Police had apologised to motorists and local residents for the disruption caused but said the threat was so significant there was no alternative but to put the closure in place until the incident was resolved.
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Central Motorway Police Group said the male had been safely detained.
They said the stretch of M42 had been reopened but warned drivers that tailbacks remained.
Later, West Mercia Police said negotiators had being able to bring the incident to a safe conclusion.
The force said the man had been detained under the Mental Health Act and is now in a local hospital receiving treatment.
Chief Superintendent Martin Evans, representing the Central Motorway Police Group and West Mercia Police, said: “We would like to apologise to all motorists and local people who experienced significant disruption as a result of this incident.
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“We would also like to thanks members of the public and the local community for their continued patience, understanding and compassion.
“The threat of harm to both the individual concerned and to vehicles driving on the M42 was so significant, there was no alternative but to close the motorway and for it to remain closed until the incident had run its course.
“We strive to resolve such matters as quickly as possible but out number one priority is to put the safety of everyone concerned first and to protect life, even if it does take many hours.
“There are so many who will be asking why we could not bring this to a conclusion more quickly and they will be wondering what methods we have at our disposal. I would like to reassure them, the only realistic way of resolving this was through a great deal of careful negotiation and patience.”