Mum talks young woman out of taking her own life on a Leith road bridge

A MODEST mum has told how she talked a vulnerable young woman out of trying to take her own life on a Leith road bridge.

Heroic Elizabeth Hutchison was driving from Musselburgh to Ferry Road when she came to the distressed woman’s aid at the Shore on a stormy day last March.

Elizabeth is one of 24 members of the public to receive a gong at this year’s Chief Constable Bravery and Excellence Awards - along with 34 officers and two police dogs.

“As a mother, it could’ve been my own daughter,” said the 55-year-old mother-of-three and grandmother-of-seven.

“This poor girl was hurting so much she wanted to take her own life - I just did whatever anyone else would have done.”

Eagle-eyed Elizabeth spotted the woman, in her early 20s, walking across the bridge with no shoes or socks on in the pouring rain.

“I pulled over as soon as it was safe to do so and walked towards her. She climbed onto the bridge so I ran and grabbed her and pulled her back,” she recalled.

“I talked her down and I took her to my car. We sat there for about an hour. I just let her talk to me.

“She said her boyfriend had verbally abused her to the point she didn’t want to be here,” added the construction firm partner from West Calder.

“She said her mother did the same when she was a child and how she didn’t feel worthy - how no one loved her.

“I acknowledged how she was feeling but said she was worthy and she was loved by somebody, she just probably hadn’t met them yet.

“I said she’d eventually realise the best thing would be not to kill herself, the best thing is to go on.

“After a while she said she was going to go and I said I’d drive her because she had no coat or shoes but she just ran out.

“I went after her and held her. I’d already called 999 and I screamed at a woman to call again.

“The police came and took her away - when I spoke to them they said she’d been taken to hospital and got the right treatment.”

When she finally got home, an emotionally drained Elizabeth collapsed into the arms of proud husband John, 40.

“I couldn’t stop crying,” she said. “My husband just said it didn’t surprise him - that it was just the kind of thing I’d do.”

Chief Constable Iain Livingstone QPM praised Elizabeth and her fellow award winners - both serving officers and members of the public.

“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all our winners and nominees today and thank them all for their efforts,” he added.