A lorry driver has been credited with saving a man from what police described as a welfare incident on a motorway bridge after he stopped his vehicle beneath the structure and climbed onto the cab to hold the man until officers could take over.
Dan Shillito, 34, a Samskip driver from Hull, East Yorkshire, was travelling south on the M1 on Saturday evening when he saw motorway information signs warning of an incident. As he approached the Palterton Lane bridge near junction 29 in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, he noticed a man with a leg dangling over the bridge.
Shillito told reporters he called to a traffic officer and asked if he could position his truck beneath the bridge to stop the man falling to the carriageway. The traffic officer moved a car and a trailer to allow the lorry to pull into place, and Shillito climbed onto the roof of his cab at the officer's request.
Video recorded from vehicles caught in the traffic shows Shillito holding the man by the legs and feet while three or four police officers maintained their grip on the man. Shillito said he placed the man's feet on his shoulders to support him until four officers came onto the top of the truck and took over.
Derbyshire Police said they were called at about 6:30 p.m. on Saturday concerning the welfare of a man on a bridge close to junction 29 of the M1. Officers were deployed and, with the assistance of a member of the public, the man was led to safety. No one was injured, a force spokesperson added, and the man was taken to hospital to be checked over.
Shillito, a married father of two who has driven lorries for eight years, described his actions as something "anyone else would do." He said he was focused on helping at the time and felt the adrenaline only later. After the footage was posted on social media it received more than 5.3 million views and hundreds of messages of thanks, including one from the man's son, Shillito said.
His wife, Rikki, and members of the public praised his actions, with commenters calling him a "guardian angel" and "an absolute hero." Shillito said he had been overwhelmed by the response but expressed hope that the man recovered and led a happy life.
The incident occurred days before World Suicide Prevention Day, a time when charities and public services emphasise awareness and support for people in crisis. Derbyshire Police closed a stretch of the motorway while emergency services attended; the road was later reopened.
Those affected by suicidal thoughts or crisis are urged to seek help. For confidential support in the United Kingdom, call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org to find a local branch.