Pulled back to safety by passers-by and police
Man rescued from bridge over Grand Union Canal
A MAN was pulled to safety by police officers and members of the public from a bridge in Hayes on Wednesday last week.
Hillingdon Police was called to the canal bridge in Printing House Lane at around 8.35am.
When they arrived members of the public were holding on to the man who was standing on the wrong side of the barrier on the bridge.
At first officers tried to convince the man to return to safety, but eventually with help from the public they pulled him to safety and prevented him coming to harm, the police said.
A statement on the BRIDGE CALL: incident from Hillingdon Police said: “Today Hillingdon Police were called by multiple members of the public regarding a man trying to jump off a canal bridge in Printing House Lane in Hayes.
“Members of the public were holding on to the man who was on the TJG1ST wrong side of the barrier when officers arrived on scene.
“Officers initially attempted to speak to the man to get him to come back to safety.
“With the help of members of the public officers pulled him to safety, preventing anyone coming to harm.”
PCC Bonny and PC Jayasinghe were the first to arrive on the scene, followed by PC Murphy and PC Luck.
The officers were praised for their efforts in the statement, which added: “Well done those officers and thank you to every person who stopped to help.”
According to Hillingdon Police, the man has been taken “to a place of safety”.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said officers were called at around 8.35am and the incident was dealt with around 10 minutes later. A NIGHT shelter run by homeless charity, St Mungo’s, and supported by Hillingdon Council is looking for donations and help from local residents.
The winter night shelter will be based in Hayes and is open for the 12th year running. It will provide accommodation and breakfast and evening meals for vulnerable men who have been sleeping rough in the borough during the winter months.
St Mungo’s is keen to recruit volunteers to help with cooking, supporting the clients, running the shelter and more generally providing a friendly face.
The shelter will be open from Monday 16 January and volunteers are needed to help during the evening, overnight and occasional morning shifts.
Donations of food, clothes and toiletries are also gratefully received.
St Mungo’s will work with the council’s Homeless Prevention team, they will look to move guests to more stable accommodation and develop their support network.
Cllr Philip Corthorne, cabinet member for social services, housing, health and wellbeing, said: “Hillingdon Council is delighted to team up with St Mungo’s in order to help people in need during the harsh winter months.”
Cliff Dymond, St Mungo’s regional head, said: “We are very pleased that Hillingdon has agreed to support this initiative. We will be working closely with local community partners and thank those who have already generously come forward to offer their time and energy.”
For more information and to volunteer, contact Nayo at nayo.hunt@ mungos.org or Cliff at c l i ff. dy mon d @ mun g o s. org or call on 07979 680924.