Hero lorry driver hailed for saving life of distressed man on …

Kieran Walsh saved a life through his actions A LORRY driver based in Warrington has been praised after stopping his truck to save the life of a man intending to jump from a motorway bridge. Quick-thinking Kieran Walsh, who works for Appleton Thorn-based Kinaxia Logistics, sprang into action when he saw the man on a bridge above the M1 in south Yorkshire in the early hours.

The 23-year-old, who lives in Wallasey, tried to calm the man, then told him he was just going to step away and call his office to let colleagues know he was delayed – but instead he rang the police. The man then tried to climb over the barrier, but Kieran ran back, grabbed him around the chest and used his strength to restrain him. Another member of the public then stopped and helped Kieran keep hold of the man until officers arrived.

Now Kieran has been recognised by his company with a new ‘Moments that Matter’ award, with his certificate stating that he ‘literally made a life-changing decision’, and that everyone at Kinaxia is ‘so proud’. The incident happened just after 1am on April 11, shortly after Kieran had set off in his 44-tonne lorry from Barnsley heading back to Warrington. He said: “As I approached the junction where the road crosses the M1, I saw a pedestrian who appeared to be walking towards the bridge.

“I looped round to have another look at him to see whether he was okay, and as I came around the second time, I saw him leaning over the barrier above the southbound carriageway of the motorway. “I stopped alongside him, put on my hazard warning lights and tried to speak to him from the cab. “I did not get a response after three attempts, so I put on my high-vis jacket, turned off the engine and walked to him.

Kieran Walsh saved a life through his actions

Kieran Walsh saved a life through his actions “I tried not to make him panic or worried, and I told him I was going to call the office just so they knew where I was, but stepped away to actually call the police. “At this point, he started to try to climb the barrier.

I grabbed him with an arm around his chest, holding him very tightly, with my phone in my other hand as I spoke to the emergency operator. Story continues “The man tried to climb the barrier three or four times, and another member of the public, who was driving past and had seen what was happening, stopped to help.

The pair managed to hang on to him until police arrived to take over. Kieran added: “I hope he is okay. I just felt it was the right thing to do.

My mum has always told me to be the best person I can, and someone needed help. I did not think about myself. “Everyone has kept saying that I am a hero, but I do not see it that way.

I was lucky to be there when I was. “I am also extremely grateful to the other driver. I did not get his details at the time, but I would like to thank him for stopping to help.”

Richard Smith, Kinaxia’s group managing director, commented: “We are humbled by the actions that Kieran took to assist someone when they were most in need. “It would have been very easy to just drive past and not give a second thought, but Kieran showed the foresight and humanity to turn his vehicle around and see if this member of public was okay. “Through his actions, he undoubtedly made a difference and saved a life.

Everyone at Kinaxia Logistics is very proud of Kieran – he is a role model for all the drivers in our business.”

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