News

Barnsley Police Officer Praised After Saving Woman

Wednesday August 1 2012

A BARNSLEY police officer has been praised after she saved a woman who was threatening to jump off the Alhambra Centre.

PC Sarah Botham was on duty inside the shopping centre when she was alerted over the radio that a woman had climbed over security fencing on the fourth floor of the car park and was threatening to jump.

She tried talking the woman down but - at a crucial point when she felt she was not getting through - she grabbed hold of her and pulled her to safety, lifting her back over the barriers.

A police spokesman said: "The woman was standing on a ledge and clearly in significant danger. Sarah took an instant decision at a critical time grabbing hold of the female and started to pull her back from the ledge and over the barrier into the car park.

"Sarah was determined and decisive in her actions and successfully brought this woman to safety."

The woman was detained under the Mental Health Act.

Chief Superintendent Andy Brooke presented Sarah with a Good Work Notice in recognition of her courage and determination.

Reply Posted by Nicky on Wednesday August 1 2012 at 18:58

Good Work Sarah x

Reply Posted by Craig on Wednesday August 1 2012 at 20:51

I would like to see some credit going to the security team at the shopping centre as well. They played a crucial roll but get no mention or credit.

Reply Posted by colin m on Thursday August 2 2012 at 13:13

nice work Sarah and to all involved in this, I would like to ask if the Samaritans have some signs up on the barriers as they do in other locations in the borough, too many incidents like this are accuring

Reply Posted by craig on Thursday August 2 2012 at 14:26

well done 2 all involved saving this persons life.

Reply Posted by vicks on Sunday August 5 2012 at 19:13

well done sarah and everyone else who was involved in the incident, the poor girl she must have been in a bad way makes me sad to think someone would get to this point :(

Reply Posted by Stacey on Sunday August 5 2012 at 19:14

I agree wih Craig the security guards at the Alhambra were the 1st on the scene and also helped pull the woman to safety they deserve praise also! X

Reply Posted by joyce l on Sunday August 5 2012 at 19:27

You can go to chemist for pills if you have headache, you go to hospital if you brake something, but if you have mental illness you have to be put on a waiting list to be seen that could take months, no wonder people feel so desperate to even think about taking their own lives. Things need to change!!!

Reply Posted by dean f on Sunday August 5 2012 at 19:29

Was she carrying what appeared to be suitcases and looked a bit like a back packer??? I only asked as early that day we saw I women sat on grass verge with like two little suitcases. Just curious

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