A local teacher intervened in a crisis situation last Thursday after spotting a young girl straddling the guardrail of a Highway 402 overpass.

St. Christopher high school teacher Bill Reid was driving when he noticed a young girl straddling the guardrail. The girl appeared to be considering jumping from the overpass.

Reid immediately pulled over and engaged the girl in conversation while covertly calling 911 from his cell phone. He kept her engaged until police could intervene.

A Sarnia police officer was then able to pull the girl to safety.

Reid praised the local police for their quick action and heroism.

The Observer only learned of Reid’s involvement after receiving an email from someone who knew of the situation.

Reid was reluctant to be interviewed, saying that the real heroes are the police and his fellow teachers, who help young people in crisis situations every single day.

“I’m no hero,” he said. “I just did what anyone would do.”

“I’m humbled by this,” he said, adding that he is just glad that the young woman is safe.

The young woman was taken to Bluewater Health for assessment. She was not injured in the incident.

Reid credits his actions to the crisis intervention training that he received through the St. Clair Catholic District School Board.

“(This) was just a microcosm of what guidance counsellors and teachers do daily,” he said. “Just like firefighters and police officers do.”

Reid advocates for education and being able to identify the signs that someone is in crisis.

“The first thing is to be aware. We have to educate ourselves,” he said. “We have to realize that this is an issue and we have to look for the (warning) signs.”

Reid also credits the many colleagues who inspire him, like fellow teachers Tom Slater and Krystal Butler, whose mentorship encouraged him to become a teacher himself.

“Every teacher that’s (here) today,” he said. “They save lives daily.

“It’s about taking the time to let students know that we care.”

liz.bernier@sunmedia.ca