Eco-zealots who blocked Dartford Crossing NAMED, as pair finally brought down by extendable cherry picker
ONE of the activists who climbed up the QEII bridge and blocked the Dartford Crossing is a music teacher from New Zealand who spent 50 days living in a tree.
Marcus Carambola, 33, was suspended 275ft above the suspension bridge between Kent and Essex with fellow protester Morgan Trowland.
Both men were brought down by an extendable cherry picker around 5.30pm today after they finally agreed to come down.
Marcus spent 50 days living in a hammock in a 120-year-old tree, in Haringey, North London, earlier this year to try to stop the local council from cutting it down.
The Kiwi has also previously run “climbing training” for other eco activists wanting to occupy bridges and trees.
Speaking previously about living in a tree, Marcus, originally from Christchurch, New Zealand, told MyLondon: “Basically, everything takes much longer in a tree, four to five times longer.
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“You have to just move more carefully. Everything is ideally attached somehow so that, in case it slips, it doesn’t fall, it just hangs on a rope or a line or something.
“The washing and sleeping and going to the toilet does happen in a similar fashion, but just slower and more mindful. It’s a bit easier as a man.”
Marcus and Morgan caused misery for thousands of drivers for two days after they scaled the bridge in the early hours of Monday morning.
Police were seen attempting to talk to the protesters and convince them to climb down but the activists claimed they would stay there for at least 24 hours.
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After furling a large orange banner which read “JUST STOP OIL”, the two men then climbed into hammocks suspended around 275ft above the bridge.
National Highways said two-hour delays stretched on both sides of the river.
Essex Police said they received a report shortly before 3.50am on Monday morning that “two people had climbed onto the bridge and are currently at height”.
Cops tonight confirmed both men were arrested.
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A spokesman said: “An at-height operation was a success and two men have now been arrested.
“A decision on how and when to open the road sits with National Highways.”