A teenager has been commended for saving the life of a suicidal man who tried to jump off Rochester Bridge.

Myles Wenham, 17, spent more than an hour trying to talk the man down when he refused to speak to police. He was having problems at work, had split up with his girlfriend and had given up hope.

Myles did everything he could to stop him, but the man was determined to take his own life.

However, when he stepped off the bridge, Myles was there to be his guardian angel. He was able to grab him and pull him to safety.

His actions have now been recognised by Kent Police and The Howard School, Rainham, pupil has been given a Divisional Commander’s Award.

Chief Supt Tim Smith, divisional commander of North Division, said Myles had displayed significant courage in difficult circumstances.

Myles was in Strood with friends when he spotted a figure sitting on the edge of the bridge at around 7pm one night. He immediately went to see if he could help and reached the man before the police did.

Myles, of Broadview, Rainham, said: “He told me he didn’t want to carry on. He said if the police came near him he would jump. I chatted to him and tried to find out more about him.

“I asked him about his life and tried to keep him talking. The whole time, I was thinking how I could stop him if he tried to jump.

“It was frightening. I can’t swim so I was thinking what would happen if he pulled me into the water with him. I wanted to keep him talking to give the police more time as they were sending a boat.”

Myles liaised with police and continued to chat to the man as officers closed the bridge. While he was talking, Myles loosened his belt and hooked it around the part of the bridge structure so he could grab the man if he needed to.

"He said 'I'm sorry dude, take care', then moved his toes to the edge of the ledge" - Myles Wenham

He said: “By this time he told me he was going to do it, no matter what. I asked him to tell me when he was going to jump as I wanted to tell my friend who was with me to look away.

“He had given me his wallet and other belongings which I had passed to police. He asked me to get them back as he wanted me to have them.

He said his cards and his pin numbers were in his wallet and he wanted me to withdraw his savings as a thank-you for trying to help him.

“He had been sitting near the edge and then he stood up and said ‘I’m sorry dude, take care’. He then moved his toes to the edge of the ledge and went to step off with his right foot. I grabbed him by the hand and was able to pull him backwards.”

Myles’ actions saved the man’s life. He has since seen him in Rochester town centre and is pleased to report he is doing well.