Police officer's bravery award for saving man's life

A police officer has been honoured with a prestigious bravery award after his quick thinking saved the life of a vulnerable man who was trying to take his own life. PC Ed Barker was presented with GMP’s John Egerton Trophy on Tuesday by Chief Constable Ian Hopkins and will now meet the Prime Minister at the Police Bravery Awards ceremony on July 14th. Last January, PC Barker responded to a call that a 21-year-old man, who had been drinking after splitting up with his girlfriend, was trying to take his own life by jumping from the roof of Rochdale Town Hall. The man climbed 40ft up the fire escape and was sat with his legs over the edge as one of his friends tried to reason with him and grabbed hold of him while another called the police. PC Barker arrived on the scene in under a minute and, realising the gravity of the situation, scaled the fire escape to talk to the young man. When he reached the top the man had broken free of his friend’s grip and moved closer to the edge and, without warning, turned around and let go of the snow covered fire escape. Quick-thinking PC Barker managed to hold onto him by the neck to stop him from falling to the ground, placing all of his 15 stone weight onto the officer. PC Barker managed to activate his emergency button while holding onto his shoulders as the man struggled to break free. The man then made a second attempt to throw himself from the roof, forcing PC Barker to handcuff him and use three sets of leg restraints to hold him down, such was his determination to take his life. PC Barker stayed with the man until further help arrived to carry him down from the roof and take him to hospital for support and care. Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said: “PC Barker showed incredible bravery with his split second decision making to hold onto this vulnerable man who was attempting to jump from the roof. “There was a genuine risk of him being carried over the edge of the snow covered fire escape, which could’ve had tragic consequences for both men. “PC Barker trains hard daily to be in peak condition and this, combined with his cool head and quick thinking, saved this young man from certain death and I am delighted that he is now safe and well. “I am proud to be able to present him with the John Egerton Trophy for outstanding bravery and delighted that he will now represent GMP in the Police Bravery Awards in July.” PC Barker said: “When I arrived it was lashing down with rain and there was sleet and snow. His friends were holding onto him but they were losing their strength. “I took over but he tried to go over again and I managed to get hold of him around the neck and shoulders because the rest of his body was hanging off the edge of the fire escape. “I was so relieved when I saw the blue lights arriving to help take him to hospital because I thought I was going to drop him. “It was a really proud moment for me and my family and I’m gobsmacked to be put forward for the Police Bravery Awards. It’s nice to get some recognition and appreciation, but I was helped by his friends and my colleagues.” The award is named after Constable John Egerton, who was killed in the line of duty on March 11th 1982 in Farnworth aged just 20. His death prompted students at the Bruche Police Training Centre to present a cup to the Chief Constable, which became known as the John Egerton Trophy. The trophy is awarded annually to an officer who has performed the biggest act of valour during the year and the winner is selected by Joan Egerton, John’s mother. Photo: Chief Constable Ian Hopkins and Ed Barker

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