Published: Thursday, 1st May, 2008 09:00
Praise for woman who stopped death plunge
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A WAREHOUSE manager who stopped a suicidal young man jumping from The Oracle car park has been acclaimed by the police.
Catherine Shubrook, of Woodley persuaded the man, who was threatening to jump, to change his mind.
She said: “He was very distressed and very upset.
“The man was already talking to a teenager, who was looking quite upset. I offered to take over. To begin with I asked if there was anyone I could call, what his name was and if I could do anything to help.
“I just wanted to keep him talking so he wouldn’t jump.
“It was very wet and he was swinging over the edge by his fingers, I think he wanted the decision to be taken out of his hands.
“The thought that he was feeling so lonely and unloved was alien to me as I have a loving family and was in a relationship with a man I am going to marry.
“I wanted him to know that if a complete stranger cared enough to talk to him, then people who know him would care if he jumped.”
Miss Shubrook, now 30, noticed the commotion in the car park as she was returning to her car following an afternoon at the cinema last August.
She said: “I went to see what was going on.
“It is not something I am trained in but I am used to talking to people. Being a first aider helped, as you are taught to take control of situations. I have done some door work and have worked in wine shops, so I have was used to dealing with drunk and difficult people.
“Talking to him seemed like the normal thing to do.”
She added: “It was a shock to learn I was going to be commended, I feel a
little bit of a fraud as I don’t really think I did anything.
“I think those awards are meant for people who do something incredibly brave, not for someone who took the time to talk to someone and reassure them that there were people who loved him and he would be missed.
“I would like the young lad who was speaking to him first to get some recognition – but he disappeared when I took over.”
Police believe Miss Shubrook’s willingness to get involved was instrumental in averting tragedy.
They commended her public-spirited and selfless actions. She was among 20 people from across the Thames Valley at yesterday’s Chief Constable’s Commendations, held at Drayton Park Golf Club, near Abingdon.
Among the other recipients were Earley man David Budd, who was commended for following an offender from a burglary, in March last year, and gave police information that enabled them to make an arrest.
Woodley PC Jen Banfield was commended for the consistently and exceptionally high standard of performance and commitment that she brings to her role as Neighbourhood Specialist Officer.
Response team members Sgt Mark Hennessy and PC Manhdip Braich, were commended after they entered a burning flat in Patriot Place, Newtown, to rescue a pensioner.
Sgt Hennessy, who was treated for smoke inhalation after the incident, said: “It was extremely smoky and was very difficult to breathe and to see.
“We arrived on the scene by coincidence and after discovering a flat was on fire, learned there may be someone in there.
“We just went in, if we had thought about the risks we might have waited for the fire brigade.”
Sgt Hennessy, 44, who has now transferred to the Metropolitan Police said it was nice to be recognised.
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