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Saturday July 31, 2010

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Terry Bracks 'saved my life'

Posted by: By Ben Wise, 3AW.com.au | 18 March, 2009 - 9:28 AM

The man whose life was saved as he teetered on the brink of throwing himself of the West Gate bridge has revealed what happened that near-tragic night. 'John' sings high praise, in particular, for Terry Bracks' involvement.

'The one who really stands out to me is Terry Bracks,' John told 3AW's Neil Mitchell on Wednesday morning.

John is now recovering after his brush with death earlier this month and says there is a 'whole raft of health professionals helping me'.

But the man has no doubt he would not be alive had it not been for the incredible bravery and compassion shown by Terry Bracks, wife of former state premier Steve Bracks.

John told 3AW he was very close to throwing himself of the bridge, and he was in a very distressed state of mind.

"All of a sudden this woman appeared next to me … she just materialised … and that of course was Terry Bracks. I didn't recognise her at the time," said John.

"She was just standing there and she had her hand on my upper arm and she said 'what are you doing mate?' and 'don't do this mate'. To my recollection I didn't answer her."

"I remember looking at her and there was just concern on her face. Thinking back on this, the courage of that woman was incredible – I am a fairly big bloke – I mean I could have just turned around and assaulted her. I could have smashed her."

With the benfit of hindsight, John reveals he could not have more respect for the way Terry handled the situation.

"She didn't stand 10 feet back from me and try and talk to me, she came right up and put her hand on my upper arm and spoke. In hindsight, the more I think of that the more I admire her courage," he said.

"I would never have hit her. That is one of the most important things I remember. She said 'think of your family and those that love you'."

"I was standing up on the railing – I'd climbed up to the first part of the railing on the fence. I was bending right over. I was looking down at the water and psyching myself to go. She delayed me, and long enough too because the next thing I felt was being grabbed by Steve and the two other fellas who pinned me to the ground."

"Then I saw Steve Bracks and then the penny dropped as to who Terry was. Aw jeez, that's Bracksy."

"Terry, this wonderful woman, she saved my life."

John, who will write personal letters to the four people (Terry, Steve, Frank - listen below - and an off-duty cop who is known to 3AW) who helped him on the bridge that night, also delivered a heartfelt message to other people facing depression-related disorders.

"Suicide is a selfish act. It solves your problems but it just leaves a hell of a mess behind."

For people who need help in their personal lives, call Lifeline on 131114.

RELATED ITEM:

One of the rescuers calls in to 3AW

Blog comments Your Say

  • What a fantastic interview. The man who was rescued is extremely brave.

    Kate Sunday 22 March, 2009 - 5:19 PM

  • HI Neal . Neal we have just burried a very close member of the family who was 37 years old. He commited suicide. He left a wife and child and heaps of family a nd friends who are trying to make sense of what happened. Please Neal with your influence in Radio I would ask you to may be dedicate part of one of your problems on this subject. From what i gather it has been effecting mainly men. the problem with men is that they do not want to open up like us women do. Us women can meet over a cuppa and can quite comfortably open up and tend to share our problems more than what man do. Pauline

    pauline Thursday 19 March, 2009 - 12:00 PM

  • As I listened to you speak to "John" this morning regarding "Terry Bracks saved my life", tears rolled down my cheeks. I dont think anyone really understands what it feels like to be in "that mind space" unless you have been there yourself! I suffered depression when I was 20years old after my parents seperated and tried to suicide with medication overdose,my stomach was pumped and obviously I survived! But it wasnt until afterwards when family and friends told me how much they loved me etc. that I evan thought about the people I would have left behind in devastation! You see when you are in that "head space" I describe it as like being in a black hole and you can only see one way out...it is truly quite hard to explain unless as I said,you have been there. Anyway John,good on you for speaking out,that takes a lot of courage and you should be proud of yourself! Every day good or bad,I always say this
    "EVERY DAY ABOVE GROUND IS A
    GOOD DAY!!!
    LIFE IS ABOUT CHOICES AND MATE YOU CAN CHOOSE TO ENJOY LIFE RATHER THAN MERELY
    SURVIVE IT!!!
    Great story Neil,
    Sarah.

    Sarah Wednesday 18 March, 2009 - 10:37 PM

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