A BRITISH radio DJ has been blasted for playing the Van Halen hit Jump while police were trying to talk down a suicidal woman on a highway overpass.
Morning show host Steve Penk got a request for the 1984 classic from a joker stuck in the traffic jam when four lanes of the road had to be closed.
He said he put it on to empathise with drivers, but moments later the woman plunged almost 10 metres.
The 30-year-old suffered only minor injuries.
Mental health experts criticised Penks song choice on 96.2FM The Revolution as being in poor taste.
Emotional support hotline the Samaritans said, "It shows a lack of compassion and understanding."
Listener Lorna Guinn, 42, was unamused by Penks antics.
"It's irresponsible given this woman could have overheard it on someone's car stereo. I found it pathetic and nasty, Ms Guinn said.
Penk, who hosts a show called TV's Naughtiest Blunders and owns the radio station broadcasting in northwest England, said, "The entire area had been thrown into total chaos by a single, troubled woman.
"I was, of course, very sorry to hear that the lady had subsequently jumped from the bridge but relieved that her injuries were minor.
"If, as has been suggested, the woman jumped because she heard the song from a passing car radio that's unfortunate.
"But I don't regret playing it for a minute."
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