A POLICE officer narrowly escaped plunging to his death during a rescue on a North-East bridge.

PC Christopher Bell risked his life to stop a teenage girl throwing herself from a road bridge between Sadberge and Middleton St George, near Darlington.

Yesterday, the motorcycle patrol officer was given one of the country's top life-saving awards from the Royal Humane Society for his brave act in July.

Speaking at the society's headquarters, secretary Christopher Tyler praised PC Bell's actions which led to his testimonial on parchment.

"PC Bell thoroughly deserves this award for averting the tragic death of such a young girl," he said.

"He is a credit to the force. When he grabbed the struggling girl, he could have been pulled over and off the bridge himself."

The drama started at about 3.15pm on July 12. PC Bell, 32, was on motorcycle patrol when he was called out to the bridge on the A66.

The 13-year-old, who has not been named, was deeply distressed and was balancing precariously on the outer ledge of the bridge, facing outwards

PC Bell, who has been in the force for 11 years, continued to talk calmly to the teenager who hurled back obscenities and threatened to jump.

The bridge-top drama intensified when, after about 20 minutes, the brave officer got close enough to make a grab for her and she started violently struggling.

With the help of fellow officers, he managed to pluck her to safety before she was handcuffed and taken to hospital.

The award was made after a recommendation by the Chief Constable of Durham Constabulary, George Hedges.

PC Bell was unavailable for comment yesterday.