“She Was Hanging by Two Fingers”—Nurse’s Quick Action Saves Woman in Crisis on Bridge

Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service

A mother of two was on her way to her daughter's school play when she noticed someone in distress clinging to the edge of a bridge.

She didn’t hesitate.

Sian O’Neill, an Accident & Emergency (A&E) nurse from Redditch, England, asked her husband to stop the car and let her out. What happened next earned her recognition at the Worcestershire Safeguarding Awards, and saved a life.

Split-Second Decision, Lasting Impact

On July 15, O'Neill spotted a person barely hanging on to a bridge railing with just two fingers. While her husband continued on to the play with their younger daughter, she rushed to the bridge.

“I could see they were in distress—they were hanging on to the bridge by only a couple of fingers,” she said.

Textbook Crisis Response

O’Neill didn’t charge in. She used skills honed through years in emergency care:

• She asked for consent to approach
  
  
• She engaged the individual in calm, clear conversation
  
  
• She emphasized the gravity of the situation without panic

“I asked if there was anything I could do and told them if they let go, they would lose their life.”

When police arrived and their approach escalated the situation, O’Neill intervened again.

“I pulled up my big girl pants and told them to stop.”

This response is in line with best practices in crisis intervention, where environmental control and trust-building are key to de-escalation.

Care Beyond the Crisis

After 30 minutes of conversation, the woman allowed police to help her back over the railing.

O’Neill didn’t leave then. She stayed another 90 minutes with the woman during police assessment, continuing care beyond the point of physical safety.

“Eventually the patient said it was ok for the police to approach and came back over the railings.”

No Mental Health Training—But Plenty of Skill

Although not formally trained in mental health, O'Neill says her A&E experience prepared her for high-stakes situations.

“I’m a general nurse with an A&E background. I think that helped me stay calm when the adrenaline hit. I didn’t think about it.”

Emergency nurses often rely on transferable skills that serve them well in unpredictable situations, skills like:

• Rapid assessment
  
  
• Staying calm under pressure
  
  
• Making quick, informed decisions

These instincts can make all the difference in a crisis, even outside the hospital.

Recognition from Safeguarding Leaders

At the November 18 Worcestershire Safeguarding Awards, Professor Keith Brown, chair of the Worcestershire Safeguarding Adults Board, thanked O’Neill for her actions. He acknowledged her for looking out for the safety of others, even while off duty.

A Positive Outcome—and a Replay of the School Play

Thanks to early intervention and follow-up care, the woman made a full recovery.

“I’m glad the woman got the help she needed and she has since made a full recovery.”

And O'Neill eventually got to watch her daughter’s performance—on video.

🤔Nurses, have your clinical skills ever helped you respond to emergencies outside of work? Share your thoughts in the discussion forum below!