Life-saver Emma was cool under pressure

Photo: Picture: VINCENT BROWN

LIFE-saver . . . Emma Needham at the motorway bridge in Hollinwood where she talked down a woman threatening to jump.

A LIFE-SAVING teenager who persuaded a mum not to jump from a motorway bridge has been nominated for an award.

Emma Needham (19), from Boundary Park Road, Oldham, impressed with her calmness under pressure after talking the woman back from the brink by promising to give her the biggest hug in the world.

She was nominated for a Pride in Oldham award in the special achievement category for her actions by Chronicle reader Lynne Thorpe.

Emma, who was moved by overwhelming support from Oldhamers praising her efforts, was left speechless but made up by the nomination.

The modest teenager said: “I’m shocked. It’s a little bit unexpected. I have been recognised for it by family and friends and even strangers that have contacted me since but it’s really nice to be nominated.”

It was at the end of July as she was driving to a friend’s house that Emma spotted the 47-year-old woman perched on a narrow parapet over the M60 at Roman Road, Hollinwood, with her teenage son appealing to her not to jump.

The former Radclyffe School pupil, now an executive PA at Greenfield motivational firm Team Spirit, stopped and called the police before talking to the woman to calm her down.

Officers quickly arrived but did not approach the woman so as not to frighten her. Instead, they were so impressed with Emma’s efforts they let her continue her conversation.

Despite being inwardly petrified, she spent an hour keeping her calm and offered to help with her problems before offering her the biggest hug if she came away from the edge, to show that someone did care about her.

The woman retreated to safety as motorway traffic thundered below and Emma fulfilled her promise before leading her to an ambulance

Emma later visited the woman to take her flowers and has kept in touch, saying: “She’s all right and is on a better path.”

Police were full of praise, with Chief Supt Dave Keller, Greater Manchester Police co-ordinator for the Hostage Crisis Negotiation Unit, saying: “The young woman who stopped and helped made a significant contribution to bringing her back over the bridge safely.

“Our negotiators are officers who are extensively trained and highly experienced in dealing with situations like this so we do not underestimate just what it took for a member of the public to step in.”