George Burgess has opened up on the incredible moment where he saved a man from jumping off a Brisbane overpass early Monday, revealing: “I got hold of him and wasn’t letting go”.
Fox Sports Australia can reveal Burgess was readying for a day of media commitments to promote Wednesday night’s hyped crossover fight against Nelson Asofa-Solomona when he made the heroic life-saving action.
Paro v Crocker | Wednesday June 24 from 7pm AEST | Liam Paro gets his long awaited title shot against IBF welterweight champion, Lewis Crocker plus Nelson Asofa-Solomona vs George Burgess. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
As part of what was supposed to be a long day of media commitments, Burgess was leaving the Sofitel hotel for a Nova breakfast radio spot when he and No Limit employee Tim Ashworth saw a man climbing over a guardrail on an overpass above Brisbane’s Central Station.
Immediately, the pair called on the Uber they were travelling in to stop, and then bravely entered a situation that, afterwards, would leave the South Sydney premiership hero in tears.
“As we were turning out of the hotel, I looked to my right and by chance just spotted a guy over the railing,” Burgess recounted on Monday afternoon. “It looked like he had just got there.
“I told the Uber driver to stop and so she pulled over, saying ‘I can’t wait … I can’t wait …’
“I said ‘just go, just go’, then we got out of the Uber and ran over.
“Tim got to the guy first and started speaking with him. I got there second and asked what his name was, tried to get him out of his head a little bit …”
Yet more than simply trying to talk the man down, both Burgess and Ashworth then got themselves past the guardrail and to a point where they could physically prevent him from jumping.
Asked exactly how events played out, Burgess continued: “I grabbed him.
“Tim was [there first] holding him and couldn’t get him by himself. And then once I got there and got hold of him, I wasn’t letting go … then we pulled him over the railings.”
Burgess said the man did not resist.
“He was numb,” the retired English Test prop continued. “He was at his end, was a shell of a man. But hopefully now we can rebuild him because there is support out there that some people are too proud to seek out.
“But we’ll do everything we can for Michael, that’s his name Michael …”
After the man had been brought to safety, Burgess not only talked to him for a further 40 minutes, but gave him money and also took his phone number.
“I’ll be his emergency contact for today,” he revealed. “We’ll see how we go and hopefully we can get him some good care.
“Because I feel like myself and the No Limit team were there for a reason and we’ll make sure Michael gets support.
“Because everyone needs support and he doesn’t have anyone.”
Asked specifically about being there at such a time, Burgess continued: “I believe it was divine timing. God had a different plan for this man and he used us as his vehicle I suppose.”
Burgess also explained the time he spent with the man once police officers and emergency services arrived.
“I just tried to find out a bit more about him,” the former Rabbitohs explained. “It was an overwhelming situation for him because he had five or six police officers around him, asking his name, asking where he lived, all this stuff.
“It would’ve been hard.
“So I just tried to give him a moment and speak about what had happened, what’s happened in his life that had led to this point.
“He used to be a spray painter of luxury cars. Rent had become too expensive and so he’s been on the streets for a long time. There is only so much of that someone can take before they don’t see a way out.
“So I tried to reassure him that there is always an option. And that it’s not the permanent one of taking your own life.
“I got his number, gave him some money and hopefully now we can get him back on his feet.”
Once he returned to the hotel, Burgess immediately phoned home to his wife.
“It was deep for me,” he conceded. “I’ve had friends who have lost their lives through suicide, had friends who have attempted to take their lives, so it brought up a lot of emotions and I had to cool off.
“Seeing someone so very close to ending their life, I was emotional, Tim was emotional.
“I talked to my wife. She sees the softer side to me so I let a few tears out to her.
“[But] when something like that happens, it reinforces that you are on the right path and doing what you’re supposed to be doing. I’m glad we were there. If not he would have been on the train tracks.”
Despite the drama, Burgess said he would still be sweet to fight on Wednesday night, when he and Asofa-Solomona throw down inside Brisbane’s Pat Rafter Arena.
The fight also takes place on the same night that Liam Paro looks to create Australia sports history against reigning IBF welterweight champion Lewis Crocker.
“I’m fine now,” Burgess said. “And I’ll be better once I hear Michael is alright.
“I’m also here for business and we’ll be putting on a good fight.
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“But this was a super sad situation that highlights the struggles people are going through.
“We’re in Brisbane, and there are people out there who are homeless and really struggling with their mental health.
“It was a stark, shocking reminder of what was going on and really puts things into perspective.
“Because what we’re doing here is great.
“But the bigger picture is that people out there are struggling. This is an important reminder to give back where you can, whether that’s with a charity, with a homeless shelter, whatever you can do.
“We have a platform and there is no use to it if you can’t use it for good.”
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