Bridge jump hero policeman praised
Published: May 5, 2008
A TRAFFIC officer has been hailed a hero after he helped stop a man throwing himself off a 100ft motorway bridge.
Highways Agency traffic officer Tony Lissett, 56, of Sefton Lane, Horwich, was patrolling the M60 with a colleague on Sunday, April 27, when they noticed what they thought was a breakdown on Barton Bridge.
But when they stopped, the driver climbed over a safety barrier and said he was going to jump.
Mr Lissett and colleague David Jary, from Liverpool, managed to keep the man safe until police arrived and talked him down.
Mr Lissett was previously awarded with a bravery medal when, in 2001 as an AA patrolman, he ran across three lanes of the M55 to direct 70mph traffic around an overturned horse box.
He said: “I don’t know if these incidents follow me around, but it’s a bit scary thinking what’s going to happen next.”
On Barton Bridge, Mr Lissett quickly radioed for help while Mr Jary talked to the man.
Mr Lissett made sure the motorway was closed and called for police backup.
The two Highways officers have now been praised by the police for keeping cool and calm in a difficult situation.
Mr Lissett said: “It was a very tense situation and it just materialised out of nowhere. He was getting more and more agitated, and it looked like he was going to jump.
“It did seem a bit surreal that I was there trying to protect him and there were people driving past, going about their normal business.
“It’s nice to think that I’ve helped save someone’s life.”
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