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‘I really don’t know how I did it’ vertigo sufferer overcomes phobia to save girl on Tay Road Bridge

Kim Cessford, Courier 15.09.11 - pictured at the Tay Road Bridge car park is hero Raymond O'Kane from Newport who helped rescue a girl who was trying to commit suicide on the bridge despite suffering from vertigo himself
Kim Cessford, Courier 15.09.11 - pictured at the Tay Road Bridge car park is hero Raymond O'Kane from Newport who helped rescue a girl who was trying to commit suicide on the bridge despite suffering from vertigo himself

A disabled vertigo sufferer has told how he overcame his phobia to prevent a teenager jumping off the Tay Road Bridge.

Raymond O’Kane (56) was driving back from Dundee to his home in Station Brae, Newport, early on Sunday morning when he saw a young woman run across the road and on to the railings of the bridge.

She climbed over and looked as if she was ready to jump until Mr O’Kane intervened.

Although unable to work because of problems with his leg and suffering from vertigo, he got out of his car and went to help the teenager. Seeing the girl was extremely distressed, Mr O’Kane was able to hold on to her until police arrived 10 minutes later.

He said: ”I was away to Dundee to pick my son Nicholas up from Fat Sam’s, and when we were coming back we saw her running across the roadway and then climbing over the railing. She was holding on to the edge with her arms behind her.

”I stopped the car and put on my flashing lights and went to help her. About three cars nearly ran me down as I went across the road.”

Mr O’Kane, who is originally from Ireland, said instinct took over when he approached the girl.

He said: ”I don’t know how it happened but I just got the sort of strength I needed to help her.

”I looked over the side of the bridge first and started talking to her and moving closer. Then I was able to hold on to her and keep her there for about 10 minutes until help arrived.”

He added that he only realised what he had done once the girl was safe.

”I was shaking afterwards I really don’t know how I did it. I’m not able to work just now because I’m disabled.”

He added: ”She only looked about 18 or 19 but was really upset and looked ready to go over.”

While Mr O’Kane was helping the distraught teenager, another car stopped and its driver phoned the police, which arrived a short time later.

”I called the police the next day and they said she was being looked after by friends,” he said.

Tay Road Bridge manager Ian MacKinnon confirmed there had been an incident, and said police responded.