A Norwich 999 call handler has been hailed as a life-saver after she talked a young girl down from a bridge while still in training.

Carla Brightman was still being mentored by a senior operator when she received the call from the girl who told her she had been self-harming and was standing on the edge of a bridge.

The situation was made even more difficult by the fact the girl's phone had just 4pc of battery life left.

Carla has now received the Chief Officer Commendation, one of just 131 in the UK, after she was celebrated at an East of England Ambulance Service Trust (EEAST) ceremony on Wednesday, July 4.

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At the event she was praised for reassuring the teenager, de-escalating the situation and persuading her to step away from the ledge and wait for help to arrive.

Carla said: "I had to take a few minutes away from my desk after taking the call as I have a daughter the same age as the girl on the phone and it struck close to home.

“I am very thankful the call ended the way that it did.

"It’s why I went into the job, to make a difference, and it’s great that I can make that difference to someone just by listening to them.”

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Carla was just a few weeks into the job at EEAST's Norwich Emergency Operations Centre in Hellesdon.

Tom Abell, chief executive of EEAST, said the emergency call handler was responsible for saving the girl's life.

He said: “I have no doubt that Carla helped save this young person’s life and it goes to show the variety of ways that you can help people and make a difference as part of the ambulance service.”

  • If you need mental health support, call NHS 111 and select option 2 or the Samaritans on 116 123. Both services are available 24 hours, 7 days a week. You can also download the Stay Alive app on Apple & Android.