A DUNFERMLINE man has become the super hero of a woman who was seconds away from falling from the Forth Road Bridge earlier this month.

John Mills was cycling his normal route from work in Leith, when he spotted a women who appeared to be in a distressed state. 

The 35-year-old woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, told the Press: “I am so grateful to John after what happened. He’s given me a second chance at life. Super heroes don’t always wear capes!

“I have always been very open about my mental health issues in the past but sometimes I just do not know of any other way of coping.

“I’m pleased to say I’m in a better place now though and I’m receiving help. Anyone who feels like they want things to end should know that harming yourself is not the answer.”

She wanted to thank her rescuer after her ordeal but didn’t know who he was so her friend reached out on Facebook to see if he could be traced.

The post was shared more than 1,000 times and remarkably John was found. 

He said: “It was my partner’s boss that saw the social media post and thought it might have been me.

"I was cycling along and I noticed this woman sat on the ground at the barriers and I just thought there was something strange about it because she was alone. 

“As I got closer, I could see she wasn’t right so I put my bike down and asked her what the time was. I was just trying to get her to open up. At the same time, another cyclist was phoning the police. 

“I said I was stressed out because I had a child on the way and she told me things weren’t too good. She was freezing so I asked if she wanted a cup of tea or a burger. I didn’t know what to do but I knew I had to help.

“A highway team came to help and they took over. As I cycled away though I had wished that I had just stayed with her or at least got her name. I just wanted to make sure that she was getting help. 

“When I saw the post on Facebook I was so pleased that I got the chance to speak to the woman again and we’re planning to meet up. 

“It was really nice to read the comments people were putting but I was just glad that I had got involved. I actually was quite angry after I left the bridge thinking that folk had just passed her. I just couldn’t understand why you would do that, it was very clear that something was definitely wrong. 

“I hope this is a lesson for people to just stop. Just a wee chat could save a life.” 

The woman, from Leith, is a single mum who has been diagnosed with a personality disorder. 

She added: “My emotions are very high and then low every other minute. There’s no middle ground and sometimes it’s just very overwhelming.

"As it’s mental health awareness month, I just want people to understand what it’s like. 

“I’m still not clear what actually happened – all I remember is talking to John. I would encourage anyone just to reach out and get help, there’s always a bigger picture.”