Trophy for PC who stopped a suicide

From the archive, first published Sunday 15th Apr 2007.

AN off-duty police officer who stopped a suicidal man from leaping to his death from a multi-storey car park has been given an award for his bravery

PC Steve Bindley, 38, based at Shoebury police station, received the Wilson Trophy for his quick thinking in saving the man in September 2006.

The award is given to the Essex police officer who performs the most meritorious act of the year.

PC Bindley was on sick leave suffering from a broken elbow when he saved the man's life.

He was driving up the car park, at Victoria Plaza, in Southend, with his girlfriend Julia Wilson, 47, when he spotted the man standing on the edge of the fifth floor.

PC Bindley said: "I could see he should not be there and it was apparent what he was going to do.

"I jumped out of the car and went to towards him. I did not get too close because I didn't want to spook him and I dialled 999 without him noticing.

"He said he was depressed, had marriage difficulties and trouble with his job. He was quite an intelligent chap.

"I could see blood and there were cuts on his wrist. I thought he was either going to jump or fall off from fainting due to the blood loss."

PC Bindley then saw the man make a move to jump off the building so he lunged at him and managed to grab his arm.

The brave PC said: "I lunged forward, but he tried to jump and he was taking me with him. I shouted for my partner who grabbed me and we pulled him back. My arm did not hurt because of the adrenalin, but afterwards I felt pain and my legs were shaking."