A BBC broadcaster swam to rescue a “distressed” woman who had gone into the sea fully clothed in bid to kill herself.
Linda Sinclair, 53, spotted the crying woman while out for a morning swim on Inganess beach in Orkney.
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She said: “I watched her crying, take off her shoes and walk fully clothed into the water.
“Automatically I knew something was wrong, so I went to her aid.”
“I don’t know how long I was in there with her for. I wasn’t focused on time, I just wanted to get her to safety,” Linda continued.
“I spoke to her about her life and her family and reassured her that ending her own life wasn’t the answer, nor was it her only option.”
Linda tried to take the “distressed” woman back to shore, but she immediately attempted to get back in the water.
In a desperate bid to get help Linda ran to the nearby road to flag down a car and ask the driver to call 999.
“A policeman and another member of the public, who I understood to be a friend of the lady, arrived quickly,” she explained.
“It seemed like time was passing by and she was still in the water. I couldn’t understand why no one was helping.”
The BBC broadcaster shared the emotional story in light of World Mental Health day today and told how she lost one of her own family members to suicide in 2018.
Linda rushed back into the water for a second time to save the woman.
She added: “Although she was a stranger, it made me think about my family’s experience.
“I wouldn’t want any other family to suffer in the way ours has.
“It’s bittersweet but I am glad that my personal understanding helped to prevent another family from the most indescribable pain.”
The woman let Linda lead her back to dry land where emergency services were waiting for them.
She gave the BBC broadcaster “a huge bear hug”, Linda believed was “her way of saying thank you”.
Linda said while she is “proud” of herself, she is not a “hero” but “just instinctively reacted”.
She urged everyone to gain knowledge and understanding of mental health and emergency first aid.
“You just never know, one day you might be the lifeline someone needs,” added Linda.
Stuart Callison, chief executive of St Andrew’s First Aid, said: “Each year we are overwhelmed to hear of the number of courageous people across Scotland, like Linda, who have stepped up and stepped in during emergency situations.
“We know all too well that had Linda not intervened, the outcome of the story could have been drastically different.
“We want to encourage those who have saved a life, or know of someone who has displayed first aid excellence, to come forward and nominate for this year’s awards, to ensure these heroes get the recognition they deserve.”
You’re Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
