Two Dorset Police officers are being praised for their extraordinary bravery after they prevented a distressed man from falling from a railway bridge in the early hours of 27 October 2025.

Shortly after midnight, Dorset Police received a call from Dorset County Hospital reporting that a man in mental health crisis, who had been expressing suicidal thoughts, had left the building. Checks revealed he had previously attempted to take his own life earlier in the year. A full risk assessment began as details were circulated to officers about the missing patient.

At around 2am, the PCs, who wish to remain anonymous and who were crewed together in the Western Armed Response Vehicle, were flagged down by a member of the public on Weymouth Avenue in Dorchester. The passer by reported seeing a man matching the description of the missing patient sitting on the wrong side of a railway bridge.

The officers located him moments later. He was perched on the narrow brick ledge with his feet hanging over the tracks below. Although no passenger trains run at that time of night, the line is used for overnight freight services, and the drop beneath the bridge is around seven metres. The man was visibly distressed and struggling to engage.

PC A began speaking with him, using calm, patient communication while giving him space. PC B remained close by, ready to support. As the conversation continued, the man suddenly pushed himself forward in an attempt to fall onto the tracks.

PC B reacted instantly and grabbed hold of him. PC A joined him within seconds. The two officers held on to the man as he hung in freefall over the edge, pleading with them to let him go. With no way to pull him back over the wall and no safe footing, they were forced to hold his full weight for more than ten minutes until additional units arrived.

Once more officers reached the scene, they were able to work together to lift him back to safety. He was assessed by paramedics and taken to a place of safety so he could receive the most appropriate care.

Their actions that day almost certainly saved his life.

Chief Constable Amanda Pearson said: “I am immensely proud of both our officers for their exceptional bravery, quick-thinking and compassion they displayed on that day, which ultimately saved this man’s life.

“Both officers put their own lives in danger to protect a vulnerable member of our community, and I am so grateful they are part of our policing family. They are both an inspiration and epitomise the very best of policing and our purpose of keeping people safe.

“They remained calm, patient and professional throughout and it is important their actions have been recognised with this prominent nomination. I wish them the very best of luck in these awards."

Dorset Police Federation Chair Chris Wood said: "I am incredibly proud of them both for the way they handled an extremely challenging and high risk incident. From reviewing the Body Worn Video, it was clear they approached the situation with calm professionalism, compassion, and genuine respect for the man involved.

“They communicated with empathy throughout, prioritising de escalation and the preservation of life, even when the risk escalated, and they were required to physically prevent him from jumping.

"Their actions reflect the highest standards of policing. Despite receiving the Dorset Police Federation Bravery Award, both officers remained humble and described their actions as simply doing their job.

“In reality, their calm, decisive, and compassionate intervention went far beyond routine duties and ultimately saved a life. They deserve our deepest thanks and appreciation."