Sarah Ann Henley

Sarah Ann Henley (8 July 1862 – 31 March 1948) was a young barmaid from Easton, Bristol who in 1885, became famous for having survived a suicide attempt, after she jumped from the Clifton Suspension Bridge, a fall of almost 75 metres (246 ft).^[1]

Attempted suicide

On Friday, 8 May 1885, Thomas Stevens, resident inspector for the Clifton Suspension Bridge, reported that Ms. Henley had climbed over the railings and on to the parapet. Before anyone could reach her, she had thrown herself off. Witnesses claimed that a billowing effect created by an updraft of air beneath her crinoline skirt slowed the pace of her fall, misdirecting her away from the water and instead toward the muddy banks of the Bristol side of the Avon River. Although there is no evidence that the wind or the skirt saved Ms. Henley from the fall, the story has nevertheless become a local Bristol legend.

An article dated 16 May 1885 in the City Notes of a local newspaper, the Bristol Magpie, reports as follows:

"The rash act was the result of a lovers quarrel. A young man, a porter on the Great Western Railway, determined to break off the engagement, wrote a letter to the young woman announcing his intention. This preyed on the girl's mind, and she, in a state of despair, rushed to end her life by the fearful leap from the Suspension Bridge."

After her landing in the thick mud of low-tide, two passers-by, a John Williams and George Drew, rushed to her assistance. They found her in a state of severe shock, but alive, and escorted her to the refreshment rooms of the nearby railway station, where she was attended to by a Doctor Griffiths and a Detective Robertson, who had also observed the incident. Despite being conscious and able to answer questions, the doctor's recommendation insisted that she be escorted to the Bristol Infirmary urgently.

Detective Robertson sought the assistance of a local cabman, who refused on the grounds that transporting her covered in filth would make his cab dirty. Despite an offer of payment and stressing that she would die if she wasn't treated urgently, he stubbornly refused stating 'I don't care - let her die' .

With no other option, a stretcher was sought from the local Clifton Police Station. Though it was a journey of more than an hour, she was carried to the Infirmary, where she was treated for severe shock and internal injuries. Whilst in hospital slowly recovering, the story of her misfortune but survival quickly spread and numerous proposals of marriage and fame were offered.

The cabman later defended his actions in a letter to the Bristol Times & Mirror, stating that he had only just had his cab cleaned and repaired, during which it was off the road and he was unable to earn a living.

He called for a fund to be set up to assist cabbies in these circumstances and pointed out that the corporation should have had an ambulance available for incidents like this.

Later life

Sarah Ann never went back to the Rising Sun in Ashton where she was working as a barmaid. On the 26 January 1900, she married Mr. John Lane, who worked at a Bristol wagon works.

With the passing of time Mrs. Lane ceased being self conscious about the affair. She even kept as souvenirs the photographs of the two children, Ruby and Elsie Brown, who in September 1896 survived being thrown off the bridge by their deranged father.

Living to be 85 years of age, she died on 31 March 1948, and was buried 6 April 1948 at Avon View Cemetery.

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The whole episode was serenaded in verse by a William E. Heasell, who called it An Early Parachute Descent in Bristol.

Once in Victoria's golden age

When crinolines were all the rage

A dame in fashionable attire

Would change her life for one up higher

So up to Clifton Bridge she went

And made a parachute descent

But though, 'twas not the lady's wish

A boatman hooked her like a fish

And thus a slave to fashion's laws

Was snatched from out of Death's hungry jaws

This story's true I'd have you know

And thus it only goes to show

References

1. ^ Chenery, T., ed (May 9, 1885). "LEAP FROM CLIFTON SUSPENSION BRIDGE". The Times (London, UK: Times Newspapers Ltd.) (31442): pg. 9, col F. ISSN 0140-0460. OCLC 145340223. 

• Lewis, Teresa; Henly, Clive (October 13, 2005). "SARAH HENLEY - SHE JUMPED FROM CLIFTON SUSPENSION BRIDGE AND SURVIVED". Henly/Henley Families Around the World. UK: H. R. & C.R.G. Henly. http://www.henly.org.uk/henly/sarahhenley.html. 

Persondata
Name	Henley, Sarah Ann
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	8 July 1862
Place of birth
Date of death	31 March 1948
Place of death