A suicidal woman who walked out of hospital and came within inches of killing herself in the Thames has been reunited with the police who saved her and set her on the path to recovery.
Fearing the worst, police began searching the river after Abby Hughes, 38, went missing from the hospital in December 2014.
But when they got a 999 call from a passer-by to say a woman was attempting to jump into the Thames by the National Theatre, they realised mum-of-two Ms Hughes was still alive.
Pcs Jamie Larner, Anthony Owen, Giuseppe Scannapieco and Jamie Chandler raced to the scene and spent 60 nailbiting minutes talking to Ms Hughes and encouraging her to come down.
After an hour, they were able to convince her not to kill herself, and she stepped back over the railings.
It was a decision that set her on the road to health - six months later, she said she had not self-harmed since.
Now she has been reunited with the four officers who helped save her life.
"'I was very nervous about meeting them all," she said. "I didn't know what I was going to feel, or how I was going to react.
"All I knew was that it was important for me to meet them and personally say thank you.
"Three years ago I was diagnosed with a severe mental health illness and was trapped in a vicious cycle of self-harm and suicide attempts.
"The day I nearly jumped into the River Thames was the day that changed my life. The kindness those officers displayed that night, and their care towards me, gave me some sense of self-worth.
"I have made great strides towards managing my recovery and since then have not had a single episode of self-harm."
Pc Scannapieco said: "I feel very humbled, honoured and happy that Abby wanted to meet us in person.
"Seeing her in person on the road to recovery had a huge impact on us - it's the reason we do what we do.
"While Abby has thanked us, it is herself she should give praise to. She found the courage that day to climb back over and begin a new stage in her life."
A Samaritans spokeswoman said: "Samaritans is available round the clock, every single day of the year. We provide a safe place for anyone struggling to cope, whoever they are, however they feel, whatever life has done to them."
You can call 08457 90 90 90 (UK), 116 123 (ROI). Alternatively, e-mail jo@samaritans.org, text 07725 909090 or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
