Off-duty Marinewatch volunteers and members of the public save man

OFF-DUTY members of Wexford Marinewatch and members of the public saved the life of a man on Wexford Bridge after holding on to him as he was spoken to by the volunteers.

Marinewatch’s Frank Flanagan said the group were contacted by a member of the public who had concerns about a person acting suspiciously in the vicinity of Wexford Bridge at lunch time on Tuesday. Off-duty volunteers immediately made their way to the bridge and notified the emergency services on route. Frank said that when they arrived, a man, in his late 20s or early 30s, was discovered on the outside of the bridge railings. ‘Assisted by members of the public, the person was held securely while he was spoken to by volunteers. He was eventually persuaded to come back over the rails to safety where he could get help,’ said Frank. Emergency Services subsequently arrived on scene and the man was taken into care.‘Wexford Marinewatch would encourage the public to be vigilant at all times, particularly around bridges and Quays where people may be in distress,’ he said. If in doubt, call 999/112 and report your concerns to the Irish Coast Guard, followed by the Gardai. ‘It’s better to be safe than sorry. Yesterday was a prime example of public vigilance paying off and saving a man’s life,’ he said. Anyone in distress may also contact the following numbers 24hrs a day – Pieta House 1800 247 247 or Samaritans 116123. Established in 2012, Marinewatch’s primary objective was to reduce the high level of death by suicide in the harbour.