Three strangers prevented a schoolgirl from jumping off a bridge, and now she's hunting them down to express her gratitude.
A Desperate Search for Three Heroes Who Changed a Teen's Life
In a heart-wrenching quest, 15-year-old Erin Oliver is on a mission to find three kind-hearted individuals who saved her life last year. These strangers, whom she encountered near a dangerous bridge in Tyne and Wear, stepped in when she was at her lowest, battling severe depression and suicidal thoughts.
Erin's harrowing ordeal began in October 2014 when she was diagnosed with autism. Having obsessive compulsive disorder, she also hears voices telling her to end her life. With the support of her family, including her parents Suzanne and Rob, younger sister, and a black Labrador named Tilly, Erin is now determined to raise awareness about mental health issues and share her inspiring story to help others.
A Chance Encounter That Saved a Life
One Monday, after spending time with friends, Erin felt incredibly down. Overwhelmed by her emotions, she left her companions and made her way to a bridge with the intention of ending her life. However, fate had other plans. One man got out of his car, and two women walking nearby sensed Erin's distress and came over to help. Unfortunately, only one of the women's names, Sonia, sticks out in Erin's memory.
"She was my mum's age and she said there were other options, that I didn't have to end my life," Erin told Newcastle newspaper the Evening Chronicle. "She said she worked at Newcastle University and was really nice. A policewoman called Amanda was lovely too. They are the reason I'm here now, and I just want to thank them for saving my life."
A Long Road to Recovery
After Erin descended from the bridge, she was taken to North Tyneside General Hospital and is now waiting for a bed at a mental health unit in Middlesbrough. Despite her struggles, Erin is committed to raising awareness about mental health and has shared her story in the hopes of reaching out to others.
For emotional support, contact charity Samaritans anonymously on 08457 909 090.
Actions for Erin's Search
While the article doesn't offer specific details about the location or the exact date of this life-altering encounter, there are steps that can be taken to help Erin find her heroes:
1. Leverage Local Media & Social Platforms– Approach media outlets like BBC Newcastle and ChronicleLive, which often help with human-interest stories involving community connections.– Utilize Facebook groups such as "Tyne and Wear Noticeboard" or "Lost and Found in Newcastle" to post descriptions or identifying details.– Utilize Twitter with relevant hashtags like #TyneAndWear and #MissingConnections.
2. Community Outreach– Contact local emergency services for potential records of reported incidents.– Visit the location where the rescue occurred with flyers containing details about the event.– Check community centers and libraries for notice boards.
3. Official Channels– Submit a request to the Information Commissioner’s Office for CCTV/emergency call data (requires legal grounds).– Contact the Newcastle City Council’s community safety team for assistance in making connections.
4. Specialist Services– Consider seeking help from Long Lost Family (ITV program) or Missing People UK (charity) to facilitate reconnections.
Please note that the strangers' privacy must be respected if they choose to remain anonymous. Be sure to include clear contact information rather than personal details in public posts.
For historical context, research shows that narratives about abductions, like those related to Guinevere and Vanora, have been present in literature and mythology for centuries[4]. However, these stories don't directly relate to modern missing-person searches.
[^4]: In his classic work, "The Mabinogion," the story of Guinevere presents accounts of abduction, while the Tacitus' Germania describes the myth of Vanora and her role in the abduction of the Sabine women. These narratives underline the power of community and connections in difficult times, even if the context differs greatly from Erin's present-day situation.
- Sonia, the woman who Erin believes was one of the lifesavers on the day she was rescued, worked at a health-and-wellness facility, specifically Newcastle University's science department.
- The distressing experience Erin went through after being diagnosed with autism and OCD led to severe depression and suicidal thoughts, but with the help of her family and mental health services in Northumbria, she is recovering.
- The asperger syndrome diagnosis combined with her obsessive compulsive disorder resulted in Erin hearing distressing voices telling her to end her life.
- Since the article did not provide specific details about the location or date of Erin's encounter with her heroes, seeking help from local media (BBC Newcastle, ChronicleLive), social media (#TyneAndWear, #MissingConnections, Facebook groups such as "Tyne and Wear Noticeboard" or "Lost and Found in Newcastle"), emergency services, community centers, libraries, and official channels like the Information Commissioner’s Office and Newcastle City Council’s community safety team can help find these individuals.
