Members of the public stop her before police and RNLI arrive
Police and RNLI crew tend to woman on the bridge. Picture: Stephen Butler
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March 14, 2023
A distressed woman who was threatening to throw herself off Barnes Bridge was saved this Thursday morning (27 April) after members of the public stopped her from jumping.
She had climbed over the railings on the railway bridge but was prevented from going into the river by passers-by who held onto her and then pulled her back to safety as more people arrived to help.
A call had gone out to the emergency services and both the police and an RNLI Lifeboat from the Chiswick station arrived as this was taking place at around 10.30am.
The E Class Lifeboat Dougie and Donna B, which is stationed at Chiswick Pier nearby, positioned itself below the bridge.
The woman was secured by the officers and given a medical assessment by the RNLI crew who had brought up a stretcher from the boat. She was then brought over to Barnes Bridge Station on the Surrey side of the river where London Ambulance Service paramedics were waiting to attend to her.
The woman was brought by stretcher to Barnes Bridge Station. Picture: Stephen Butler
The incident was witnessed by Stephen Butler, a local photographer who regular walks between Richmond and Barnes.
A spokesperson for the Chiswick RNLI station said, “Chiswick Lifeboat was called to reports of an incident at Barnes Bridge on Thursday. A woman was on the wrong side of the railings. Passers-by managed to pull here back onto the footpath. Thames Commander, Glen Monroe, put two of his crew ashore, one of whom is a paramedic. After assessing the casualty, they put her into the lifeboat's stretcher and took her to the waiting ambulance crew on the Barnes side of the bridge.”
Police offcers and RNLI crew on Barnes Bridge. Picture: Stephen Butler
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said, "Officers were called at 10:30hrs on Thursday, 27 April to Barnes Bridge, SW13. A woman was at the location threatening to self-harm.
"It was reported that members of the public had managed to hold on to the woman and pull her to safety.
"The London Ambulance Service attended and the woman was taken to a central London hospital to be assessed. Her family have been informed."
For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit the charity’s web site.
To support the RNLI Thames crews, you can donate to save lives here.
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