Hamilton Police management are crediting the actions of one of their staff and two members of the public who's actions they believe were pivotal in preventing a tragedy overnight.
City Deployment Manager, Acting Inspector Sandy Venables said early yesterday evening Police were called by a concerned parent and told her teenage daughter had consumed a number of pills and was walking to the Cobham Bridge with the intent of leaping off it.
"On arrival one of our officers saw the girl on the bridge holding on to the rail on the northern side looking down into the river. As the officer approached she climbed the rail and was lowering her self down when the officer managed to grab her.
"Fortunately for everyone concerned a woman arrived to help and tried to calm the girl then a man arrived and held her allowing our officer the opportunity to grab his handcuffs and cuff the girl to the rail until further help arrived and she was able to be taken to Waikato Hospital for assessment."
Ms Venables said it was beyond doubt that without the prompt work of the Constable followed by the actions of the members of the public the young woman would have ended up jumping from bridge into the river with tragic consequences.
"We will be looking at the most appropriate way of acknowledging the actions of those involved," she said.
"Last night's incident highlights the need for a strong partnership between Police and the community they serve, all those involved should feel justifiably proud of their actions," she said.
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