A heroic act. Four police officers saved the life of a man who had just crossed a bridge to throw himself into the void, on the night of Saturday to Sunday in Valence (Drôme). "In fifteen years of career, it is the first time that I save someone like that", is still surprised this Tuesday Denis R., one of the four officials.
It is around 11 p.m. when the 36-year-old sub-brigadier and seven other colleagues from the night police rescue brigade in Valence are informed by passers-by that young girls are being followed by two men on the Mistral bridge, which overlooks the Rhône but also traffic routes.
Once there, the police check the two young men. "It was a false alarm. The young women assured that everything was fine, ”explains Denis R. One of the two men, an Eritrean in his thirties, is however a little agitated. "He seemed annoyed that he had not been able to get prescription drugs," said Grégoire M., another police officer.
"It was sliding little by little"
The police decide to leave. But, "when we board our vehicles, we realize that the Eritrean has disappeared". With their flashlight, they see the 30-something hanging by his hands on the bridge deck, his legs waving in the air, ten meters above the D2007N. "He was screaming that he wanted to end it," says Denis R.
Four police officers then rush towards the unfortunate man and lie down on the ground to grab him by the arms. "The safety railing only allowed us to pass our arms", explains Denis R.
But the desperate does not give way. He begs the police to drop him, waves his legs, then lets go of his hands. "We were holding it with all our strength, two by arm," says Grégoire M. But despite our efforts, it was gradually sliding.
"A great shock noise"
The police then have this saving reflex: they ask a student peacekeeper to go and park the van on the D2007N, under the individual. Meanwhile, two other colleagues are responsible for cutting traffic.
About ten minutes have passed since the start of their rescue. Caught up in cramps, the police are now only holding their thirties by their fingers. "Suddenly, we heard a great shock noise, breaths Denis R. We believe he was dead".
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But the man fell back on the van. On his feet first, before rocking on his back. Sounded, but unharmed. Supported by firefighters, he was evacuated to the Valence hospital center under police escort.
The police, on the other hand, finished their service with some contractures on their arms, but above all a feeling of intense satisfaction. “We are often faced with human misery. But when it ends like this, it feels good. We feel useful, ”says Grégoire M.