nik_rn_03's Journal

Sat night I was driving home from work when I saw this guy standing on the railing of a bridge that is over I-71(major interstate). I thought it was odd and I struggled with just driving on, stopping or calling 911. I decided to call 911 and told them that this guy looked like he was going to jump off the bridge, but I didn't know for sure. They told me not to talk to him but to "keep an eye on him". Which meant that I just drove up and down the street passing him. It took about 15min but the police stopped traffic on 71 then climbed up the bridge and snuck up behind him handcuffed him and took him to the car. I found out yesterday (a friend works at the highway patrol ) that the guy indeed was going to jump he was "waiting for the right semi to jump onto". So I"m glad that I listened to my instinct and took the time to stop. There was an old man that was at the corner selling melons who told me to " leave him alone, if the sob wants to jump let him". I would have never been able to live with myself if I had left him alone, then read in the paper that he had commited suicide.

It makes me feel good that I might have actually helped him, but sad also that I was the only one who took the time/effort to do so. If that had been my family member I hope someone would have done the same. I believe in paying it forward. I do it and have lived a blessed life because of it.