Delivery driver ‘humbled’ at receiving Mbe for saving man’s life
A HERO delivery driver has been awarded an MBE for saving a man’s life while he was working his shift during the pandemic.
Michael Watson, 45, has been recognised for his services to the community in Cardiff.
The delivery driver, who has worked for United Parcel Service since 2006, was driving by a bridge near the A48 in the city when he noticed someone who he thought may be in need of help.
Michael, who lives in Cardiff, said: “I noticed a young male in his early 20s standing on the side of the road towards the bridge. Something didn’t feel right so I drove towards the roundabout and came back on myself to see if he was OK.
“I asked if he was OK. He didn’t really answer me so I asked him again and he jumped over the top of the railings.
“It would have been over oncoming traffic.
“I just leaned over. I managed to grab him. I just held onto him. I had hold of him. He was in my arms. I just thought I can’t let him go.”
Michael managed to hold onto him until two passers-by came to his aid.
At first he said he didn’t realise he had managed to save someone’s life.
“The police said thank you very much for saving his life,” Michael added.
“It’s only when the police said to me I managed to save someone’s life. I didn’t know what to think.
“You don’t realise what you’re actually doing.”
Michael also didn’t realise the honour he had been nominated for when a letter first arrived confirming he was to be awarded an MBE.
He explained: “I got the letter through the post, and I said to my partner I had received something, and I didn’t know what it was. It was overwhelming. I was quite shocked. I was quite emotional and humbled really.”
Michael isn’t sure who nominated him, but he’s glad he managed to help the young man that day.
Michael added: “A lot of people suffer with mental health in a number of ways. I have struggled.”
Reflecting on the day the incident happened, he added: “I was the lucky one who made the decision to turn around.”