A WEST FIFE police officer has had his heroic actions rewarded after saving the life of a man on the Forth Road Bridge.

PC Ian Fraser acted on instinct to pull the man to safety and back over the railings last summer.

In doing so, he received a Fife Divisional Commander Award and recognition from the Royal Humane Society, appreciating his efforts in preventing the loss of life.

After receiving a call from a concerned member of the public, Constable Fraser and his partner, PC Kevin Chandler, attended the bridge on June 2.

PC Fraser, who grew up in Dunfermline and lives in West Fife, explains: "She phoned the police to say that she saw an intoxicated man in distress and she believed he had the intention of harming himself.

"I've got the award but I wouldn’t be receiving it if wasn’t for that member of the public who phoned us.

"We usually don't get that opportunity to help."

Having served in South West Fife since 2012, Fraser has responded to several incidents at the bridge.

On this occasion, engaging with the man wasn't an option and he had to act quickly to prevent a tragic outcome.

“Normally, you would speak to the person and try and engage with them. However, due to intoxication, this person was clearly not thinking straight and was in a very bad place.

“My job as a police officer is to preserve life, and I had to make a split-second decision.

"I pulled him by the belt to come back over to the other side of the railings.

“I was a bit shaken by it. I’m happy to admit that. It was a situation which could have gone wrong if he had grabbed hold of me. As a police officer, I had no choice to do what I did. It was just instinct."

The 37-year-old stated he was "humbled and slightly embarrassed" to receive the awards, highlighting the work his colleagues do that goes unnoticed.

He said: "Every officer on their shift will have some form of impact on someone’s life. On this occasion, I’ve saved someone’s life, but another officer on that day would’ve made a huge impact on someone else's life as well.

"We'll always do everything we can."

Adding that he hoped the man was able to receive the treatment and help he needed following the incident, Fraser stressed the importance for men to speak to and support each other if they're struggling with their mental health.

"If you see a friend or family member that might be struggling, just speak to them," he commented.

"That’s all it takes. Sometimes they might not be okay. Men just need to speak to each other.

"We don't talk about it enough, but we need to."

l Samaritans is available 24/7 every day of the year, to listen and offer support to anyone who is struggling to cope. People can contact Samaritans by phone, free of charge, on 116123, via email at jo@samaritans.org or can visit www.samaritans.org to find details of their local branch.