Teen’s life saved by hug from ex-officer
A HEROIC retired policeman has relived the moment he saved a man’s life.
Walter Williams, a retired Cardiff police officer with 30 years of service, saw the man on a bridge and decided to approach him.
He stood talking to the 19-yearold for about 45 minutes before finally persuading him to come to safety. During that time, the pair exchanged stories – and at one point both broke down in tears.
The teen finally agreed to step down to safety only after telling Mr Williams he “wanted a hug”.
Mr Williams said: “I was visiting my mother in hospital and saw about 10 to 12 people at the end of the bridge standing and pointing. I couldn’t understand why they weren’t walking over the bridge. I looked and there was a chap, just yards away.
“What would any normal person do? I thought, ‘I’m going to chat to him’. He was crying and he said he wanted to end his life.
“He was 19, so I said, ‘I wish I could go back to 19. You have got your whole life and the world in front of you’. He said, ‘I’ve told my mother I am going to kill myself and that’s what I am going to do.’
“I started chatting to him about two children I had lost... I hoped I was going to get some sympathy from him. The police were secreted at the end of the bridges. After about 30 minutes I thought I couldn’t talk him down.
“I had a word with the police officer but he told me to keep him talking. I told him to come down, and I’ll get him steak and chips and I would take him home to meet my wife. I was with him for 45 minutes. God knows how long he was there before.
“Anyhow, I think the final crunch came when I said he was still crying and he said ‘Will you hug me?’. I said, ‘Course I will, come on down’.
“He jumped down and the police arrived and he was taken in a patrol car. I felt quite proud and chuffed that I’d hopefully saved someone’s life.”
Police stopped traffic on the A48 on Saturday evening. A man was detained for his own safety and taken to a safe environment by officers.
For confidential support, the Samaritans can be contacted for free around the clock 365 days a year on 116 123.