Police called to a report of a hanged man in the window of flat were surprised to find him safe - but not alive.
The ‘victim' was a 9ft model of superhero Iron Man, as played by Robert Downey Jr in the movie series.
The £14,000 custom-built metal figure stands in the window of its owner's flat in Manchester and plugs into the wall so its eyes, chest and hands light up.
Up to ten police officers and paramedics went to the 44-storey building after ‘reports of a concern for welfare' from a member of the public at 11pm on Tuesday.
But the startled owner, who was in bed at the time, was able to assure them all was well - and some of the emergency response team then took selfies with the model.
The owner said police advised him to move the model.
Up to ten police officers and paramedics went to a flat in Manchester to a report of a hanged man in the window.
When they arrived, they discovered a 9ft model of superhero Iron Man
The £14,000 custom-built metal figure stands in the window of its owner's flat in Manchester and plugs into the wall so its eyes, chest and hands light up
He explained: ‘I jumped out of bed in a scare I just totally panicked, I didn't know what was going on, my kids were in the other room I had to check they were okay.
‘I had police, paramedics, officers all come in.
‘I switched on the lights and within minutes they realised it was the Iron Man sculpture and they just said "Wow" and "That's cool".
‘The next thing they were taking selfies with it.
‘It seems surreal now, but at the time it was really scary.'
The man has lived in the flat for a year and said the sculpture has never caused any problems before now.
The owner, who asked not to be named, added: ‘It was custom-built and touches the ceiling.
‘I just really like Iron Man and this lights up and everything, it's cool, I wanted it as a feature for the apartment.'
In a video from the scene, a police officer is heard saying: ‘You need to move it, we'll just keep getting calls.'
But the owner plans to keep it where it is.
‘I've been here a year and no one has ever complained about the statue before.
‘I mean we are really high up here.
‘The officers were saying "You need to move Iron Man" but it's just too heavy to do that.'
The owner said: ‘I switched on the lights and within minutes they realised it was the Iron Man sculpture and they just said "Wow" and "That's cool".
The next thing they were taking selfies with it'
Greater Manchester Police said officers were called to ‘reports of a concern for welfare' at around 11pm on Tuesday.
‘Emergency services attended and established that there was no cause for concern,' a spokesman said.
Iron Man made his Marvel Comics debut in 1963, and as portrayed by Downey Jr has also appeared in the Avengers and Spider-Man franchises.