Hero boys, 15, save suicidal man from leaping off road bridge
Haci Demir and George Sofioniou put their fears aside to make sure the man stayed alive.
TWO schoolboys saved a suicidal man from jumping off a bridge by grabbing his legs and refusing to let go.
Despite being only 15, Haci Demir and George Sofioniou spent ten minutes desperately trying to persuade the older man not to jump.
They were on their way home from school when they saw him perched 25ft above the dual carriageway in Waltham Cross, Herts.
At first they thought the unnamed 21-year-old was filming some kid of stunt, but rushed to help when they realised the horrifying truth.
Haci said: “I thought it was a joke. I thought he was going to slide down or something. I started recording him.
“But then I saw he was really distressed and I knew it was serious.”
They begged: "Please don't do this, we are too young to see someone die."
George : " We knew we had to step in and stop it, but we were really scared as we didn’t want to see him fall.
“If he jumped I knew I would never stop thinking about it.
"It would have changed our lives for ever.
“He was in a very distressed state and it was clear he had every intention of jumping off that bridge.”
IF you are troubled by mental heath issues you can call the Samaritans free on 116 123.
Desperate to save the man's life, the two boys grabbed him through the railings, helped by others including a 12-year-old who ran to call for help.
Police and a fire crew eventually took hold of the situation and helped the man to safety at around 6pm on Thursday.
Now, George and Hari are set to be nominated for a top bravery award by police.
Chief Inspector Ian Butler of Hertfordshire Constabulary said: "I am in no doubt that the actions of the four boys and a woman who also helped saved this man’s life. "I will be recommending them for the highest possible bravery award."
MOST READ IN NEWS
