A QUICK-THINKING Good Samaritan is being hailed a hero after he saved a 14-year-old girl from what appeared to be a suicide attempt at Dumbarton Bridge.

Westcliff man Andy Foy rushed into action when he saw the distressed girl, 14, dangle perilously over the barrier at the Glencairn Lounge side of the bridge.

And the 35-year-old, who was on his way to a dental appointment, recalled last Tuesday morning’s drama – and the moment he plucked the youngster from a possible death plunge into the River Leven.

When asked about seeing the vulnerable girl dangle off the barrier Andy, a mechanical technician, told the Reporter: “I knew straight away as I seen her school uniform and her bag on the ground as I was walking on the other side of the road.

“I saw the young girl looked very upset, I think it was probably more a cry for help.

“I was actually going to the dentist on the main street. When I crossed over the road I walked up to her and asked what was wrong and she told me to go away.”

But Andy immediately sensed the danger and grabbed the sobbing girl – who is understood to be a victim of cyber bullying – and pulled her to safety.

Andy said: “Once I got her calmed down – as she was screaming for me to let her go – I asked her if she getting bullied at school and she said yes.”

During the distressing incident other members of the public were alerted before police were called to the scene.

Andy said: “It was on the same side of the bridge as the Glencairn. The owner was one of the ones who helped out, probably more than me, as she offered for the girl to go and sit in the restaurant/pub to wait for the police.”

Andy, though, also told how the incident left him in shock, adding: “It wasn’t until later on that day that it hit me.”

Dumbarton Police confirmed that an incident on the bridge took place at around 9.33am.

Inspector John Mullen said: “At 9.33am on Tuesday, April 18, a member of the public flagged down passing police officers on Dumbarton Bridge.

“They took the child off the bridge and she was returned to her home address by the officers and contact is being made to The Acorn Centre in the Vale Hospital.”

Dumbarton and the Vale’s MSP Jackie Baillie said: “Andy Foy is a hero and should receive an award for his quick-thinking and action. This sends a powerful message that simply stopping to help someone in distress can potentially save a life. We can all make a difference in our everyday lives by looking out for those who are being bullied.”

Ms Baillie also said the incident merely highlights a much wider issue among children in today’s society.

She said: “Bullying no longer stops at the school gates and we need to have a zero-tolerance approach to social media abuse. This is fast becoming one of the biggest issues affecting the younger generation and nobody should feel afraid to report it. Every child has the right to be free from cyber bullying. I would encourage any young person or parent who is concerned about their child to contact the headteacher at their local school or call Childline’s Bullying Line on 0800 1111.”

Gillian Kirkwood, manager of Y Sort It youth group, which serves youngsters from Dumbarton and the Vale, said: “It is so tragic that a young person has been so upset that they consider taking their own life due to bullying, this demonstrates the devastating impact bullying can have on a young person’s life.

“Bullying is never acceptable. Here at Y Sort It we respond to this by providing a range of group-based and one to one activities for young people designed to meet the needs of those who feel isolated or are at risk of suffering bullying. 

“The most important  message for child or a young person who is being bullied, is not to  bottle up what they are going through, the key advise we would give any child or young person is to talk to an adult, a parent or family member, or a teacher, youth worker or any other adult in their life. 

“When a child or young person tells you they are being bullied, whether it’s happening face to face or online, your reaction is vitally important. 

“Children and young people will have often been through a lot of upset before they actually tell someone, and their experience will be directly affected by the response they get.

“It is key that they are taken seriously, a  key aspect of Y Sort It provisions is we will work together with local partners from education; police, and the health and social care partnership, to best meet these needs of the young person being bullied and to put a stop to this happening.”

Ms Kirkwood also issued advice for young people who feel as though they are in a bind. 

She added: “If the bullying is taking place online you can instantly ‘block’ someone who is bullying to you, or delete or ‘hide’ what they say, even though that won’t stop other people from seeing it.

“There are also steps you can take on social media sites, such as Facebook, where you can report language or behaviour which is offensive or aggressive.

“We also encourage young people and parents  to access a number of confidential helplines, including ChildLine on 0800 1111, who also provide online support, as well as Respect Me www.respectme.org.uk  or contact Y sort it on 0141 941 3308 or email info@ysortit.com or on our social media sites if you are concerned about bullying.”