By A.P. Crawford (ap.crawford@skipatrol.ca)
On April 2, 2024, at the end of the day Eric Therrien along with his wife and another friend were out for a walk on the Bosco Bridge in Joliette, Quebec. He noticed a young girl on the other side of the bridge parapet (which he could not step over) so he decided to approach her and see if he could help.
At first contact he noticed that she was in distress and that under her hood she had put a rope around her neck. He engaged his CSP training and communication skills and maintained a dialogue with her, showing great calm and empathy. He listened to her without judging.
While this was happening, the others with him moved away from the scene and contacted the police for assistance. Eric’s discussion with the girl lasted until the police arrived and, working with them, allowed the police to intervene to prevent this girl from ending her life.
It was Eric’s composure and quick decision-making, using all of his skills, both personal and those acquired through his CSP training, which allowed him to save a life. There is no section in the CSP Patrollers’ Manual or any of our on-line training that covers or prepares one for this kind of an event and it is certainly not something one would expect to encounter, but he did.
Thanks to the actions taken by Eric, this young girl’s life was saved. She was taken into care by the necessary authorities to receive the support needed to help resolve her issues.
The CSP was proud to award Eric Therrien with the John D. Harper Lifesaving Award in September of 2024.
This post is also available in: French