A MAN who was last seen jumping off a bridge near a river more than a week ago has still not been found.

Police have renewed their appeal for witnesses as they continue to search for 29-year-old Chris Barker.

He disappeared on December 20 as he was driving from his home in Albemarle Road, York, to Hull, where he is an accountant at the Royal Infirmary.

But he suddenly abandoned his grey Renault Megane on Skeldergate Bridge in York city centre at about 7.15am.

He then gestured to a woman in the car behind him before jumping over the wall of the bridge into Tower Gardens, on the banks of the River Ouse. He has not been seen since.

The police search has been hampered by the high river levels around York. However, with river levels falling, they hope to begin searching the Ouse tomorrow morning (Friday, December 28).

Chief Inspector Mike Walker said: “We are hoping that the water levels have subsided enough to carry out a search of the river and the surrounding areas, as this is an important aspect of the investigation to locate Chris.

“In addition to our ongoing searches it is very important that anyone who saw Chris in the area of Skeldergate Bridge around the time he went missing, gets in touch as soon as possible.”

Mr Barker is described as 5ft 9in tall, with a slim build and curly, dark brown hair. He was wearing a striped work shirt when last seen. Originally from Burry Port, in Carmarthenshire, Wales, he moved to York with his wife six months ago.

Contact police on 101 and ask for the force control room.