AN OFF-DUTY policeman saved the life of a suicidal woman threatening to jump from a multi-storey car park.

PC Sam Bettles was with his wife and young child at the Arndale Centre in Eastbourne when he spotted the woman threatening to jump.

She had run away from A&E and was set to be sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

While she stood near the edge, PC Bettles, 29, risked his own life by talking to the woman, and grabbing hold of her, all while keeping his baby daughter calm.

He said: “It was quite a traumatic thing, you never knew what was going to happen.

“It was a difficult situation. I just thought ‘I have to do this’.

“My wife was with me as well with our infant daughter, so I had to keep calm and smile at her so that she was not worried.

“I was trying to keep the woman away from the edge.”

The PC’s wife Holly Bettles, 32, witnessed the incident in the car park. She said: “I just thought, please don’t pull him over with you. In the end I’m glad he was there and could help. Our daughter was nine months old at the time and he was smiling at her to make her relax.

“I am so proud of him, it takes real courage in that situation to go in and take control.”

PC Bettles has now been in the force for a year, and has had the opportunity to talk about the incident.

He said: “When you join the police it changes your view of the world and you see these things more.

“But you have the knowledge of how to react to the situation, rather than people hoping someone else will phone the police.

“I had been a PC for just six months when the incident happened and was still being tutored in the role. The reaction from my colleagues has been amazing.

“My supervisors all congratulated me and they have made sure that I have had the right help.”

Brighton and Hove Chief Superintendent Lisa Bell said: “A lady was on the fourth floor of the

multi-storey car park, wanting to jump to take her own life.

“She had just run away from A&E and was about to be sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

“PC Bettles engaged the lady and tried to talk to her, to get her back to safety.

“When it looked like she was about to jump, he took hold of her until back-up arrived.

“He is recognised for his quick thinking and bravery while off duty.

“His actions prevented a woman jumping off the fourth storey of a car park, saving her life.”

Meanwhile two off-duty PCs were also presented with awards for saving the life of a child when they were on holiday in Bulgaria.

PC Russell Kyle and PC James Huntley found the seven-year-old Russian girl unresponsive, and despite the language barrier they moved swiftly into action.

It happened in February last year and PC Kyle called for medical help, while PC Huntley resuscitated the girl.

Assistant Chief Constable Nick May announced their award while Brighton and Hove Mayor Dee Simpson handed over their certificates.

Mr May said: “Had it not been for their actions, there is no doubt that this child would not have survived.

“Both Russ and James can only be described as exceptional and both are truly worthy of this award.”

Chief Superintendent Lisa Bell said: “This is only a snapshot of what we do, day in, day out. They show great bravery, courage, commitment and determination to do the right thing, no matter how testing or difficult it is.

“The public, volunteers and partners deserve mentioning today as well, as they often do the same, without the same protections as police. They are exemplars of the fantastic citizenship you see throughout the city.”