THREE teenagers who stopped a man jumping off a bridge onto the busy A14 could today be in line for a top bravery award.As reported in yesterday's Evening Star, 14-year-olds Matthew Tortice, Tyler Hunter-Mahon and Tom Sheeran pulled the father-of-two back from the wrong side of the bridge barrier four times while they waited for police officers to reach the scene.
THREE teenagers who stopped a man jumping off a bridge onto the busy A14 could today be in line for a top bravery award.
As reported in yesterday's Evening Star, 14-year-olds Matthew Tortice, Tyler Hunter-Mahon and Tom Sheeran pulled the father-of-two back from the wrong side of the bridge barrier four times while they waited for police officers to reach the scene.
Now the youngsters - all pupils at Orwell High in Felixstowe - are being nominated by the Evening Star for awards from the Royal Humane Society.
Felixstowe police chief Insp Stephen Gallant is also nominating the trio for a Suffolk Constabulary award for their efforts.
The incident happened on Monday as Matthew, Tyler and Tom returned from home from school.
They spotted the man on the bridge in Trimley High Road and went to see if he was all right. As well as physically restraining him, they tried desperately to persuade the 35-year-old not to take his own life by leaping into the stream of port-bound lorries and cars.
They told him to think of his family and children and how they would feel if he committed suicide.
Evening Star editor Nigel Pickover said: “These boys are a real credit to our community - stepping in where many people would have walked on by.
“It was a situation where they had to be brave to act because they could not tell how the man on the bridge would react. They clearly saved his life and deserve an award to mark their excellent efforts.”
The Royal Humane Society assesses acts of bravery in the saving of human life and its awards range from certificates and testimonials to bronze, silver and gold medals.
What do you think of the youngsters' actions? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk
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