Man steps in to help stranger in trouble
DALLAN (25) SAVES INTOXICATED MAN FROM JUMPING INTO GARAVOGUE RIVER
A quick thinking man who saved a stranger from jumping into the Garavogue says more needs to be done to address mental health problems in Sligo.
Dallan O’Donnell was driving past Hyde Bridge outside the Glasshouse with his partner Poppy last Thursday evening just before 9pm when the couple noticed a drunk man unsteady on his feet.
The intoxicated man then mounted the wall in an attempt to jump over the bridge. Dallan managed to get out of the car and gently coax him back down to the pavement.
He recalls: “The first thing we noticed was this man in the distance who looked like he was going to fall in front of the car. Poppy was driving and slowed right down. Next thing we knew he had one leg over the wall. I managed to get him down off the wall and onto his side. Whilst on the ground he said he wanted to die. He was obviously in a very bad place.”
An ambulance was called and the man was taken to Sligo University Hospital. Dallan was so affected by the experience that he took to social media to express his shock and concern.
He posted details of what had happened on his facebook page and within hours the post was shared locally up to 200 times with an outpouring of comments from concerned residents in Sligo.
Dallan was event contacted by a number of local councillors including Gino O’Boyle and Thomas Healy who both said they are working to try and improve the safety of the area and get better mental health services in place for people in difficulty.
“I put up the status to raise awareness about what seems to be an issue. There should be more life rings or railings.”
Councillor Thomas Healy has written to the council on this. He says: “I have been con- tacted by a number of people regarding the bridge at the glasshouse hotel. Can we look to see about getting a safety net put up along both side of the bridge or some type of rail that if someone fall in this would safe them?”