A police officer from Harlow has been awarded by Essex Police for this bravery after saving a woman who was dangerously perched on a bridge above railway lines and contimplating ending her life.

Temp inspector, Tony Short, has won an Essex Police Federation Bravery Award after putting himself at risk of death by being dragged down onto the tacks with the lady.  

The officer attended the call to Epping Railway Station in January 2018 after reports were received of a woman threatening to throw herself off the bridge. 

On arrival, the distressed woman told Mr Short she intended to jump from the bridge- as the officer approached, she disappeared over the bridge onto another ledge. 

Mr Short managed to get hold of the woman by her hair to stop her falling onto the live railway tracks below. Clinging on to her, the officer realised the only way he was going to get her back onto the bridge was by grabbing her and lifting her over the railings. 

The woman was taken to hospital for a mental health assessment and made a full recovery. 

Mr Short said: “I was terrified that I was going to have to let her go because otherwise, we were both going to go, but I managed to pull her up and I think it was a good couple of minutes before help arrived.” 

“I was very surprised to be nominated. I thought some people have done much braver things. Anybody would have done the same as me that night and I feel like probably someone else is more deserving.” 

Essex Police Federation Chair Laura Heggie added: “This incident just shows what police officers can encounter when on duty,” said Laura. “This lady was distressed and would have most likely seriously injured herself or worse if it had not been for Tony’s actions. 

“It was a dangerous situation to be in, and he could have easily injured himself in the incident, but in the true nature of Essex Police officers, he put that to one side to help a member of the public.” 

If you have been affected by issues raised in this story, sources of support are available via www.samaritans.org