Atherton ambulance driver praised for saving man on M60 bridge
8:10am Friday 11th January 2013 in North West
Ambulance hero Gareth Wood from Atherton.
AN ambulance driver from Atherton has been praised for his heroics in saving a man who tried to jump off a motorway bridge.
Thirty seven year-old Gareth Wood was in his private car heading home from a shift at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport when he saw the man on a bridge at junction one on the M60 motorway.
"It was dark, raining and there was rush hour traffic all around," said Gareth who has a wife, Kimberley and an 11 years-old son, Leighton.
Just as the man tried to jump from the bridge Gareth caught hold of him and hauled him to safety. Now his bravery has been saluted by police and health chiefs.
Gareth, who works for the St John Ambulance patients transport service based in Stockport, said modestly: “I was just there at the right time. I caught him as he let go."
Gareth received a letter from Stockport Police Chief Supt Chris Sykes commending him for his actions on the evening of November 8 last year .
The letter said: “Without thought for his personal safety, Gareth instinctively jumped out of his vehicle and went to the man’s aid.
“Although other members of the public were present, he was the only one who was willing to get involved. On behalf of my officers and the local community, I would like to thank Gareth for his brave actions on this occasion.”
Ann Barnes, acting chief executive of Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It warms our hearts to hear about such a courageous, spontaneous response where Gareth’s only thought was to help a complete stranger.”
