Luke stepped out of the crowd to save a man’s life from suicide
By Mary Dennehy
A YOUNG man from Jobstown has been presented with the Dublin Fire Brigade Good Samaritan coin for saving the life of a person who was attempting suicide.
Luke Henderson (19) has been awarded for his courage in holding the weight of a person who was attempting to take their own life by hanging, and holding that person in his arms for ten minutes while awaiting emergency services.
Luke Henderson proudly standing with his medal outside Tallaght Fire Station
Earlier this year, Luke, who is a Pharmaceutical Science student at IT Tallaght, was on his way home when he noticed a young man attempting to take his own life.
Luke reacted instinctively and ran to the person’s aid, taking their weight in his arms.
He called 999, while still taking the young man’s weight, and held the stranger for at least ten minutes while emergency services arrived.
Speaking with The Echo, Luke said: “I didn’t really know what to do when I first saw the person but I knew that I had to do something, I couldn’t walk past.
“I went over and held the person and contacted 999.”
When asked how he feels after receiving the DFB Good Samaritan coin, Luke said: “I am proud of myself for being awarded the coin, I know I did the right thing.
“However, the main thing is that the person is ok.
“I think it’s important not to walk past, it could be one of your family members that needs help and you would hope that somebody would stop.”
Luke with members of Dublin Fire Brigade in Tallaght
Luke from Jobstown was presented with the coin in Tallaght Fire Station on Friday, June 8, by John Keogh, Third Officer with DFB.
Speaking at the coin presentation, Mr Keogh said: “Luke has been nominated by Station Officer Brian Mulvaney for a recently introduced Good Samaritan coin in recognition of his unselfishness and the fact that when someone needed help, Luke stepped up to the mark.
“[Station Manager Brian Mulvaney is] certain that on this occasion the quick thinking and actions of Luke prevented this man’s death.
“It takes courage, self-belief and willingness to step out of the crowd to help someone in these situations and Luke has demonstrated these in abundance.
“Luke reacted instinctively by taking the weight of the person in his arms… and he is being recognised by Dublin Fire Brigade for his quick thinking and actions in saving a life.”
Mr Keogh added that because of Luke’s actions, firefighters were, when they arrived on the scene, able to look after the person medically until he was brought to hospital.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the crew of D72 and D74 for their own professionalism in extraordinary circumstances,” Mr Keogh said.
WATCH:
The DFB Good Samaritan coin was recently introduced to recognise members of the public who, according to John Keogh, “step out of the crowd, step up to the mark, make a difference, to save someone’s life”.
Inscribed on the coin is, ‘when help was needed, you were there’.
