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QUICK-THINKING: Constables Rebecca Fray and Sean Connett

TWO teams of quick-thinking police officers were honoured for the way in which they averted a double tragedy when a man and woman threatened to commit suicide.

The incidents happened within weeks of each other.

At around 1am on October 12, 2006, a motorist contacted police to report that there was a woman on the bridge over St Peter's Way on the wrong side of the railings.

Officers were called to the scene, including PC Karl Roddie, DC Ian Wilson and DC Constable David Harris.

They found a young woman, who was drunk, teetering 15 metres above the carriageway, holding onto the railings with one hand. She was arguing with a man. The officers tried to negotiate with the woman but it became clear she was intent on jumping.

PC Roddie grabbed hold of the woman's arm as DC Wilson grabbed hold of her body. The officers dragged her to safety, helped by DC Harris. The woman was taken to hospital.

A similar incident happened just after midnight on October 26, 2006. PC Rebecca Fray was on patrol in Farnworth when she saw a man on the wrong side of the railings at the Kearsley roundabout bridge.

The man was threatening to jump in to the road below, which, despite the time of evening, was busy. PC Fray ran a series of checks on the man after establishing his name and discovered he suffered from mental illness.

She was joined by PC Sean Connett and the pair tried to talk the man down. But he became increasingly agitated and it was clear he was prepared to jump.

As PC Fray continued to speak to him, PC Connett got close enough to grab the man and dragged him over the railings to safety. The man was taken to hospital. All officers were commended for their quick-thinking.

The awards were presented at Bolton Town Hall.

11:32am Saturday 16th February 2008

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