This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

A woman was saved from plummeting to her death from a cliff by a quick-thinking police officer who managed to grab her by her hair.



PC Jeanette Cadden was holding a beat surgery on Saturday evening when she spotted the woman apparently attempting to kill herself in the Avon Gorge, Bristol.

The woman had climbed over the fence and was on the cliff edge when Cadden grabbed her and stopped her falling hundreds of feet.

A man who was passing with his girlfriend saw Cadden struggling to keep hold of the woman and came to her assistance, helping to pull the woman back over the fence.

Police are trying to trace the man to issue a proper thankyou.

Cadden, of Avon and Somerset police, said: “I managed to get to the woman just in time and stop her from falling but had the man not come to help me, I physically would not have been able to pull the woman back over the fence to safety and she may have lost her life.

“He told me his name was Paul and he was from the Totterdown area of Bristol and was out on an evening stroll with his partner.

“I would really like to give a proper thanks to someone who acted quickly and without thought to help me and ultimately save this woman’s life.”

• Anyone feeling depressed or suicidal can call the Samaritans on 08457 909 090 or email jo@samaritans.org for immediate and confidential support and guidance