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Published:
July 23, 2008
Exclusive:
Burnham-On-Sea man hailed a hero after saving suicidal woman
A
Burnham-On-Sea man has been hailed a hero after he prevented a
suicidal woman jumping off an M5 motorway bridge into passing
traffic below on Monday afternoon (July 21st).
 Nigel
Smith, pictured, was travelling from
Burnham to East Huntspill at 4.30pm when he spotted the woman
in her 60s scrambling over the rails of the bridge, close to Highbridge's
Isleport Industrial Estate.
He
immediately stopped his car and ran over to the lady, who had
one leg over the railings, and pulled her to safety before police
arrived to restrain her.
Police
spokesman Wayne Baker confirmed to Burnham-On-Sea.com: "Police
were called to the scene at 4.38pm. A member of the public had
pulled the lady to safety from the edge of the bridge and restrained
her."
Without
his quick action, the distressed lady could have plunged down
into the path of passing traffic below.
Mr
Smith told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "The lady already had one
leg on the railings when I noticed her and was lifting up her
second leg. I dived out of the car and grabbed her, pulling her
backwards."
 "She
collapsed onto the ground but seemed to be intent on jumping and
tried again to get up and reach the edge."
"Several
other motorists stopped, including a first aider called Sue, and
we managed to reassure and calm the lady and prevent her from
doing anything foolish."
Mr
Smith, who is a Burnham Coastguard and therefore well used to
life-saving, said he just did what came naturally.
"I
did it without thinking. Given my work as a Coastguard I have
that mindset, but I expect many other people would have done the
same thing."
The
lady - who was in a distressed state - was staying in the area
during a holiday from Wales. She was taken away to be given specialist
care and treatment.
Pictured
above is the scene of Monday's incident with Nigel Smith (beneath)
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