ITV newscaster Tom dives into sea to try to save suicide driver
He’s left in shock on Greek holiday as police simply stand by and watch
ITV Political Editor Tom Bradby was left ‘ shaking with shock and anger’ yesterday after trying to save an elderly man from drowning – as police stood by watching.
The respected journalist and friend of Princes William and Harry revealed how he dived i nto the sea in a desperate bid to pull the man from his sinking car.
Bradby, on holiday in Greece with his family, leapt into the water after watching the man drive off the harbour wall at a port town in an apparent suicide bid.
In a series of messages posted on Twitter, he wrote: ‘Dived in, tried to help, couldn’t get him out. Completely shocking.’
The 48-year-old said that he was ‘shaking with shock and anger’ in the aftermath of the incident.
He claimed nine or ten Greek customs officials and police were on the quay at the time but only one tried to help as the car sank. The others simply stood and watched.
Authorities later confirmed the man had died.
It is understood Bradby is on holiday with his wife, Claudia Hill-Norton, a jewellery designer, 46, and their three children, Jack, Louisa and Sam.
Shortly before 3pm, he wrote on Twitter: ‘ Just watched an elderly man commit suicide in Greece by driving his car off the harbour wall in Rafina.
‘Dived in, tried to help, couldn’t get him out. Completely shocking.’
He added: ‘Of the 9 or 10 customs officials and police on the quay only 1 went in to try and get him out as the car sank. The rest watched. Jesus...
‘Am shaking with shock and anger. So much for the Greek holiday trade being business as usual.’ Rafina is a port town on Attica’s east coast. It is Athens’ main fishing port.
It is not known how deep the water in the harbour was. However, it can be difficult to gain access to a sinking vehicle because of the pressure of the water on the doors. It is also highly dangerous. Bradby, who is due to take over as the main presenter of ITV’s News at Ten this autumn, was not available for comment last night.
But his 47,000 Twitter followers reacted with shock to his revelations and applauded his brave actions. Cathy Holloway said: ‘Truly dreadful experience. At least you tried to do the decent thing…’
Rachel Rogers, f rom Dorset, showed concern for Mr Bradby’s wellbeing, as well as the man who drowned. She wrote: ‘ Dreadful occurrence, for the man, for his family and for you too. Let’s hope our own officials would be more responsive. Take care.’
Rachel Martin said on the social media site: ‘How absolutely horrendous – I’m sure we are all proud of you for trying your best to save him. I hope you recover soon.’
Melissa Melvile added: ‘Good on you for doing what so many others including trained professionals would not.’
Greece – in the midst of a crippling financial crisis – has reportedly seen suicide rates soar as people struggle with unemployment and debt.
A study, published in the British Medical Journal earlier this year, reported a 35 per cent increase in suicides in Greece between 2010 and 2012 and linked the rise to austerity measures.
Bradby, a former public school boy and friend of the young royals, was announced as the new anchor for ITV News At Ten in June.
His promotion relegated Mark Austin to the 6.30pm bulletin and reportedly caused a rift in the newsroom. Bradby is the first solo presenter of News at Ten since Trevor McDonald.
Bradby, who joined ITV as a trainee after university, previously worked as a journalist in Ireland and Hong Kong before returning to the UK as royal correspondent, when he got to know the Princes.
As a result of his friendship, he was given the first interview with Prince William and Kate Middleton on the day of their engagement in 2010 and was invited to the wedding as a guest.
He also presents political series The Agenda.
A spokesman for the Rafina Port Authority police department confirmed the incident took place and said formal identification of the dead man had yet to take place.
‘We are all proud of you’