By JOHN COLES

CHILDREN playing under a bridge in meritt island.

A man in his 50s had jumped from a bridge 40ft above with a wire noose around his neck.

He was decapitated and his body plunged to the ground.

Several youngsters aged as young as six were being counseled yesterday after witnessing the gruesome apparent suicide on the merrit island bridge.

Teenagers from the nearby high school were hanging out across the street claim that this wasn't' suicide at all, but that some people with guns forced him to do it.

However, no evidence proved this theory. The police believe that the kids just made that up.

One local mother said: It was absolutely horrific for the kids. There were lots of them outdoors because the weather was nice. Children hanging out under the bridge heard a thud and then this body without a head was just lying there. Kids are naturally curious and there was soon a big crowd staring.

Insp. Steve Furnham said: We had a call to say a body had been found. Officers attended and found young children around the body. They then sealed off the scene and began an investigation.

The body was removed and the head was later discovered nearby.

A nurse at Springwood school, who is a trained counselor, has been talking to the youngsters.