ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY COMMENDATION

His quick thinking and intervention prevented a suicidal teenage girl from jumping off the bridge, earning him a prestigious national life-saving honour.

of the highly experienced instructors, it was the turn of the first of our twelve boats. Things initially looked good; the line was perfect but then, an over-powered stroke from the stern brought the canoe side on to the flow of water. We all watched hopelessly as it capsized, sinking the confidence of the remaining boats. Despite some misjudged lines, the rest of the boats made it through upright and unscathed, marking the last major hurdle of the trip. For the last 25 miles we truly felt like captains of our boats. Before we knew it, we were at our final camp, exhausted and ready for a shower, safe in the knowledge that we had seen incredible sights and completed a challenge that few people would ever even attempt. After 125 miles we can all proudly call ourselves canoeists.

In recognition of his remarkable actions, FS Matthew Stewart was presented with a Royal Humane Society Certificate of Commendation. Andrew Chapman, Secretary of the Society, praised Stewart as “the right person in the right place at the right time.”

The incident occurred around 9pm on the evening of 2 Mar 23. As FS Stewart drove over Wallingford Bridge, he noticed a girl sitting on the wall, facing the water below, and sensed something was amiss. Unwilling to simply pass on by he parked his car and approached her noticing that she has tied a rock to herself, clearly contemplating taking her own life in the river below.

To prevent the tragedy from unfolding, FS Stewart gently engaged the girl in conversation whilst asking a passer-by to call the emergency services. He skilfully kept her talking for a crucial 25 minutes until emergency services arrived at the scene. It was later discovered that the girl had been missing for three days. Thanks to FS Stewart’s intervention, she was taken into the care of the police and social services, averting a potential tragedy in which she could have drowned.

Recognizing Stewart’s empathy and effective communication, Chapman highlighted the critical role FS Stewart played in saving the girl’s life. His selfless actions make him a deserving recipient of the upcoming award.

This incident serves as a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have when they exhibit compassion and take decisive action during a crisis. FS Stewart’s intervention not only saved a life but also serves as an inspiration to others.