| UK. Coastguard & Police search for suicidal woman saved by Rescue Officer as she jumps from cliff |
|
|
|
| Tuesday, 26 September 2006 | |
|
Coastguard news: Swansea Coastguard was in action yesterday evening co-ordinating assistance to a distressed female who was threatening to commit suicide. Avon and Somerset Police had alerted the marine emergency service at just before 5.30 p.m. this evening that a depressed 27 year old woman was missing in the Minehead area after abandoning her car locally. The local cliff paths were then searched by Coastguard officers from various Coastguard rescue teams, including those from the Watchet and Porlock teams. The Minehead RNLI inshore lifeboat was also requested to launch. The Police helicopter from Devon and Cornwall Constabulary was also on scene and between all of the rescue units a search was co-ordinated right along the coast for the missing woman. At 6.15 p.m. the woman was located at the cliff edge between Kilve and Minehead by the Police helicopter, and a police dog handler was directed to the spot with Coastguards to try and speak to the woman. As she attempted dive from the cliff, a Coastguard Rescue Officer, John Barnes, from the Watchet Team, grabbed her and held her back from the cliff edge after which the Police were able to restrain her and take her into custody. Bob Peel, Watch Manager at Swansea Coastguard said after the incident was closed "Undoubtedly, John Barnes saved this woman's life this evening and we are very proud of his actions which were captured on film by the Devon and Cornwall Police helicopter 'Oscar 99'. We understand the woman is now in police custody, and we all hope she will make a full recovery." |
|
| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 26 September 2006 ) |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|