Barnfield Construction groundworkers, Jonty Schofield, Sam Watson and Trevor Fielding have been praised for their compassion and quick reactions, when they managed to talk a woman in her 40’s down from a bridge above the M65.

Sam alerted his colleagues, Jonty and Trevor, when he saw a lady walking repeatedly up and down the side of the bridge, near the housing site they are working on in Brierfield.

Jonty approached the lady, who was clearly distressed, and offered to listen to her whilst she told him what was wrong, all the while trying to reassure her that there is help for her and that what she was about to do wasn’t the answer to her problems.

The lady appeared to become more anxious when she thought one of the Samaritans was ringing the police and began to climb up on to the bridge railings.  Trevor managed to shock the lady out of going any further by shouting for her to get down.

Once they had safely got the lady down from the bridge, Jonty made efforts to reassure and comfort her until the police attended the situation.

Mark Burnside, Site Manager on Foxhills commented “I’m really proud of the lads for acting so quickly and compassionately to the situation.  They basically saved this lady’s life and we all hope she is now getting the help she needs.”

Numbers for anyone suffering from depression are:

The Samaritans – 116 123 (free number from any phone)
Mind – Visit the website for various contact numbers – https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/crisis-services/helplines-listening-services/#.XTmvu_JKicM

The photograph shows Jonty Schofield (left) and Trevor Fielden (right)

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