River drama not photo opportunity

Mrs Hardy, of Wellington, ("Appalled to see photo of elderly man in river") makes several assumptions. It was not, as she erroneously supposed, a photo opportunity.

Patricia and I were taking photos downstream of the bridge when the man in question walked into our photo and proceeded down the steps to the flooded walk-way along the river.

We were caught off guard, then, to our dismay, realised that he intended to keep on going.

We were drawn into his moment of public madness because we were standing right there and we chose to help rather than see him swept away.

We called out but he ignored us and continued into the river. Patricia called 999 and others came down from the bridge.

We continued to plead with the man until he stopped almost neck deep in the flooded river. He seemed confused as we urged him to hang onto a very flimsy bush so he could turn around.

He then slowly made his way back, slipping several heart-stopping times.

The river was too dangerous to go in to help him but we managed to talk him back before two men waded down and helped him back.

We stayed with him until the emergency services arrived and took over.

The photos obviously touched a nerve but also raised some important issues. It was hoped that the story and the photos might lead to more help being provided for vulnerable people in our immediate society by highlighting their desperate public actions.

Yes, we did have trouble sleeping that nightâ as both Patricia and I were really shaken by his public actions and our impulsive involvement.

Deirdre Snook, Telford