Wolverhampton Police officer given life-saver award after stopping woman jumping from bridge

Dc Alex Gascoyne, 32, drove past the woman perched with her legs over the bridge at the junction of the Black Country Route and Midland Road on April 24.

When he arrived he approached the woman and then grabbed her and pulled her back to safety.

Now he is to receive a Royal Humane Society certificate of commendation for his action.

The award follows a commendation from West Midlands Police and it is expected to take place in the near future.

Dc Gascoyne, who is based in Wolverhampton said his actions were all in a day's work.

He said: "I received the police award and thought that was the end of it.

"But now I've been told I'm getting the Royal Humane Society one as well I'm really pleased.

"I didn't expect any recognition but it's nice to get this."

Dc Gascoyne said he was driving an unmarked police car in the night in question when he spotted the women with her legs dangling from the bridge.

He parked up and circled back to her without her knowing.

"Because of the traffic volume she couldn't hear me coming towards her.

"I didn't want to engage in conversation with her or alert her to the fact I was there as I was worried that might prompt her to jump off the bridge.

"There was no negotiation, I just grabbed her and pulled her down backwards off the bridge to safety.

"It was a simple as that.

"To be honest I was just surprised no-one else had stopped to help out."

After Dc Gascoyne had saved the woman, police officers and ambulance crews arrived on the scene to help care for her.

As he announced the award at the Royal Humane Society's London headquarters, secretary Dick Wilkinson, said : "If the woman had tried to jump or struggle she could have pulled Dc Gascoyne over the barrier with her.

"Thankfully he was able to pull her back to safety and restrain her until help arrived."