MP praised after talking man down from ledge
Clutha-Southland MP Hamish Walker talked a man down from a ledge on the morning of New Year’s Day, earning praise from Central Otago police.
Detective senior sergeant Malcolm Inglis, of Queenstown, said Walker and his fiancee, Penny Tipu, who will marry today, were out for an early morning drive when Walker noticed a man in a ‘‘distressed state’’ standing on a ledge on the edge of the Lake Hawea dam.
He was on the outfall side of the dam, where there was a drop to the river below.
Inglis said the National Party MP stopped and went down to the man, who had indicated he was considering jumping. Tipu called emergency services, he said. Walker spent some time with the man and eventually talked him back from the edge and then stayed with him until emergency services arrived.
‘‘He got him a coffee while they waited,’’ Inglis said.
Walker then accompanied police back to the Wanaka police station to give a statement.
‘‘He’s done a great job really, by taking positive action. It’s quite a scary situation for anyone to be in and he’s done what you would hope any good citizen would do.’’
The 28-year-old man involved in the incident was referred for a medical assessment.
‘‘Christmas and the New Year can be a really stressful time for people,’’ Inglis said.
Walker said he did not want to discuss the incident, as he was focused on his wedding, but hoped the man was well and getting the help he needed.
Walker and Tipu will be married at the Port Molyneux School at Kaka Point, near Balclutha, with about 150 guests, including 15 National Party MPs.