Dan-Binns-with-his-commendation

A TPN member driver has been awarded a commendation for saving the life of a man intent on committing suicide on a flyover.

Dan Binns, 27, who works for pallet distribution firm Claude Hellowell, saw the man standing at the edge of Burdock Way flyover in Halifax last spring and stopped his vehicle to check on him.

“Most people simply drove past,” he said. “Maybe they didn’t realise what was happening or they were just focused on getting home. But I needed to check.”

When he realised the man was sobbing, Binns put his arms around him and held him, both for comfort and so that he couldn’t jump.

However, when the police arrived the man panicked and broke away: “He was halfway over the railing when I caught him, grabbing a fistful of his coat,” Binns explained.

“I said: ‘You’re not jumping on my watch, mate.’”

He hauled the man to safety and kept him pinned to the ground until the police could safely collect him and take him to hospital.

Binns was awarded a district chief superintendent’s commendation, which states: “For your courageous and selfless actions in intervening and restraining a male who was intent on committing suicide. Your actions undoubtedly saved the man’s life.”

He said: “Getting the award meant a lot to me. It brought home what I’d done that night.”

TPN MD Mark Duggan said: “We’re very proud of Dan and the selflessness and bravery he showed.

“We’d like to think he reflects the very best of our values as a network. I hope he’ll be an inspiration to other young people who might consider joining the logistics industry.”

Topics