A quick-thinking RAF sergeant intervened to prevent a teenage girl from jumping off a bridge in Wallingford while on his way back to base.

Flight Sergeant Matthew Stewart of RAF Benson was alerted to the danger around 9pm on March 2 when he spotted the girl sitting on a wall facing the water.

He has now received a major national honour in recognition of his heroic efforts.

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As he was driving past, the sergeant realised something was wrong.

He parked his car nearby and approached the teenager.

Flight Sergeant Stewart kept her talking for 25 minutes until emergency services arrived at the scene.

The girl, who it turned out had been missing for three days, was then taken into the care of police and social services.

Flight Sergeant Stewart is due to receive a Royal Humane Society Certificate of Commendation for his actions, which is a major life-saving honour.

He described it as "a huge honour to have been recognised".

"I am humbled by the award, and the support of the executive team at RAF Benson," he added.

"My compassionate nature meant that I could not pass by a person in crisis and my military training enabled me to take decisive action.

"It is my hope that the individual is receiving the help and care that they need.”

Group Captain Chris Royston-Airey, RAF Benson Station Commander said: “It is wonderful that Flight Sergeant Mathew Stewart has been formally recognised through a major national life-saving honour award for his selfless service and sacrifice.

"We are extremely proud of his achievements here at RAF Benson.”

The Flight Sergeant has also won the personal praise of secretary of the Royal Humane Society, Andrew Chapman.

Mr Chapman said: “Without doubt he was the right person in the right place at the right time.

Oxford Mail:

“He spotted the girl, as he drove over the bridge, realised instinctively that something was wrong, stopped and went to talk to her.

“He asked her if she was alright or needed help. His empathy paid off and she began to confide in him.

“He then kept her talking for 25 minutes until the emergency services and social workers arrived.

“If he had not acted as he did she could well have thrown herself off the bridge. 

"He almost certainly saved her life and richly deserves the award he is to receive.”

The Royal Humane Society is a charity that grants awards for acts of bravery.

Its roots stretch back nearly 250 years, and it was founded in 1774 by two of the day's eminent medical men, William Hawes and Thomas Cogan.

Their primary motive was to promote techniques of resuscitation.

However, as it emerged that numerous people were prepared to put their own lives at risk to save others, the awards scheme evolved, and today a variety of awards are made depending on the bravery involved.

The Society also awards non health care professionals who perform a successful resuscitation.

Since it was set up the Society has considered over 90,000 cases and made over 220,000 awards.

The Society is a registered charity which receives no public funding and is dependent on voluntary donations.