Life saving Avon & Somerset police officer recognised for Bravery at Avon and Somerset Police Federation’s inaugural Recognition Awards

8 October 2024

An off-duty officer who pulled a man back from a bridge over a dual carriageway has been named a winner in the Bravery Category of Avon and Somerset Police Federation’s inaugural Recognition Awards which will take place tonight.

At 7pm on 2 October 2022, Sgt Luke O’Connell was off-duty, driving in the Bristol area when saw a man in an agitated state approach the barrier of a footbridge over a carriageway.

Sgt O’Connell immediately stopped his car, approached the man who by this time had climbed over the barrier. Sgt O’Connell attempted to communicate and negotiate with him.

Fearful that he was about to cause serious harm to himself and potentially the road users below, Sgt O’Connell pulled the male back over the barrier and restrained him.

Sgt O’Connell continued trying to communicate with the man and was physically restraining him on the floor for over 10 minutes, until fellow police officers arrived at the location along with Suicide Prevention Bristol.

Sgt O’Connell then detained the man under the Mental Health Act and he was taken away to get the help he needed.

Sgt O’Connell said: “I approached the man and he was telling me he’s had enough of life, he wanted to kill himself. I tried to talk him back over but it wasn’t working… he stopped talking and then he made a sudden movement as if he was going to jump , so I grabbed him and pulled him over the railings.

“Members of the public thought that we were fighting so they were trying to get me off of him and I was trying to explain that I’m a police officer.”

He sustained injuries during the incident. Sgt O’Connell recalls: “I went to the doctor the next day and he said, ‘Yeah, you’ve probably broken some ribs but there’s nothing we can do for you so, just rest it’, so I went to work the next day”.

On receiving a Recognition Award, Sgt O’Connell modestly said: “It’s very nice to be given an Award, but it happens day in, day out on the streets of Avon and Somerset.”

Avon and Somerset Police Federation’s Acting Chair, Iain Prideaux, said: “Luke is a legend - and his incredible actions once again shows how police officers are never off duty.

“This officer put himself in a very precarious position, struggling with the man at height as he pulled him back over the railings.

“This could have resulted in him being dragged over and falling to his death or at the very least suffering a serious injury. I commend him on his brave actions, which saved the life of the man and protected other members of the public.

“He is very humble but make no mistake, well deserving of an Award.”

Sgt O’Connell will attend the Avon and Somerset Police Federation Recognition Awards on Thursday 3 October.

The lead sponsor for the Awards is the ASPF Group Insurance Scheme.

Also sponsoring are Serve and Protect Credit Union, George Burrows, Niche, Uniform Mortgages, Warren & Co, The Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner, Accord, The Avon and Somerset Police Benevolent Fund, Pointers Financial and Bluline.

The hashtag for the event is #ASPFAwards.

If you have been affected by this story, you can contact the Samaritans on 116 123.