Callum Smith was 15 when he stopped a stranger jumping off a footbridge onto a busy bypass. Two years on the 17-year-old from Porth says he still thinks about the man and is glad he happened to be there that day to help.
The teenager was walking across the footbridge on a Saturday afternoon when he saw a man sitting on the barrier clearly in distress. Beneath them traffic was thundering by unware of the situation unfolding above.
“There was no-one else but me and him on the bridge and I knew instantly something was wrong,” recalls Callum. “It was a spring Saturday afternoon and light so I saw him clearly sitting on the edge of the bridge.”
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(Image: Richard Swingler Photography)
Callum, who was about to sit his year 11 GCSEs at the time, had never had any emergency or mental health training. But he said he instinctively stood back so as not to spook the man, who he describes as in his 30s or 40s, and tried to speak calmly.
Terrified that the man was going to jump, Callum dialled police as he wobbled on the other side of the 4ft barriers. He hoped to gain the man’s trust enough to get closer and hold on to him.
“I asked him if he was all right and he started shouting at me to leave him alone. He said ‘I don’t want to speak to you’ and kept shouting ‘no, no,no’.
“I went to step back from him and phoned the police. He climbed down but then he was on the outside edge of the barrier on the bridge and tried to jump.”
Once he built up enough rapport Callum moved closer so he could grab on to the man and try to stop him plunging to the road below. There are gaps in the barriers and he was able to reach through.
“I put my hands through the gaps in the barrier and was holding on to him. He was about average build and in his 30s or 40s, I couldn’t tell, but it was hard holding on. I was holding on to him by his clothes and his hoodie ripped. I was shaking from the effort of holding on to him and I was worried he was going to jump.”
Callum says he doesn’t know how long the whole incident lasted but he held on to the man’s clothes for probably five minutes in what felt like a lifetime. When police arrived they called for the fire brigade but eventually persuaded the man to come down without their help.
The teenager, who is about to sit his A levels and go to university, said the experience has strengthened his ambition to have a job helping others. He thinks it has helped that more people are aware of mental health since the pandemic.
“I just did what I hope anyone would do. I saw he was in distress and it felt natural just to try to help. If I hadn’t he could have ended up jumping. I was scared and I was physically shaking from holding on to him and the anxiety of the situation.
“I think I am quite a caring person but I only did what felt natural and hope other people would do the same. When the police came they took my name and phone number but they never contacted me after.”
(Image: Richard Swingler Photography)
Callum, who was in Trealaw Scouts at the time, told friends who told their scout leaders and through them he has heard the man is alive and doing okay. Now a volunteer leader with Trealaw Scouts and a member of Rhondda Explorer Scouts, Callum thinks being in the movement helped him respond that day.
“The Scouts motto is ‘skills for life’ and I feel that happened that day. Being in the scouts has given me confidence and being part of the movement makes me want to do my best.
“I do think about what happened that day. It was life changing for me and the man and I hope I saved him and his family from grief. It was the first emergency I had ever dealt with. I just responded in the way that felt right.” For the latest Rhondda news, sign up to our newsletter here
Callum has not heard from the man since that day in 2022, but says he doesn’t expect to and wishes him well. He is just glad he was able to help that day. The Coleg y Cymoedd student is taking politics, law and criminology A levels this summer and has a place to read law at Manchester University. After that his ambition is to become a barrister and MP and help others.
Callum’s mum Amy said she was shocked when he came home that day and told her what had just happened. But she is not surprised at his mature and quick response: “I am very proud of Callum, he is a caring person,” she said.
Where to get mental health help and support
Below are some of the helplines and websites that can help you:
Samaritans operates a free 24-hour phone service every day of the year. Just call 116 123 to speak to someone if you need help.
Alternatively, if you prefer to write down how you’re feeling or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans: jo@samaritans.org
PAPYRUS offers trained advisers to provide support to young people experiencing thoughts of suicide and anyone concerned for a young person. Call HOPELINE247 on 0800 068 4141 Text: 07860 039 967 or Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org”
Mind is a mental health charity that provides advice and support to anyone experiencing a mental health problem.
Among its useful support and information pages, mind shares ‘ways to help yourself cope in a crisis’ here
Pete’s Dragons provides specialist support and advice for anyone affected by suicide in any way
You can phone the charity on 01395 277 780 or email them: admin@petesdragons.org.uk.
Callum’s actions that day saw him nominated and win a High Sheriff’s Award and now he has also won the Welsh Government’s St David’s Award for Bravery. Picking up his award at a ceremony in Cardiff, Callum was described as showing “outstanding bravery”.
His award citation makes it clear Callum’s actions deserve recognition, saying: “Callum had no previous training in dealing with a situation of this kind. He showed outstanding bravery in this most difficult and commendable action which resulted in him saving a life.”