A car park attendant at the NCP car park has been hailed as “an absolute hero” after he saved a much-loved grandfather’s life – giving his relieved family new memories together.
Liam Howard was on duty at the NCP car park on London Street in Southport town centre, next to Southport Train Station, in October when he stepped in to help the man, who was in distress and trying to take his open life.
He opened the door to the car that the man was in, removed the belt from his neck and stemmed the bleeding from his arms, and comforted him until paramedics arrived.
He then ensured the man was given privacy as medics tended to his wounds.
The man has now fully recovered – and has been able to spend a very happy Christmas and a memorable holiday with his family.
The NCP car parks at London Street and the Promenade in Southport are both operated under the watchful eyes of Liam Howard and Steve Farrington, who have been on hand in recent years to make sure drivers feel safe and to help people with any issues they may have.They are the only manned car parks in Southport.
Together, they have helped many people with a variety of issues – including as life-savers.
The rescued man’s daughter said: “I would like to share a heartfelt story about the bravery, courage and overall beautiful person who helps on a daily basis in his job.
“His name is Liam Howard and he works at the NCP Car Park on London Street in Southport.
“He is an absolute hero and needs to be acknowledged for saving my Dad’s life.
“Liam saved his life from self-harming and taking their own life whilst parked up in his vehicle. “Whilst on patrol his quick thinking and amazing communication managed to save his life.
“He’s my absolute hero – I think that, along with the rest of my family thinking the same, because we got to see him for Christmas.
“He got the help he needed and is in a safe place now.
“It was October when the incident occurred.My Father was going through mental health issues and finished work in Southport as normal on a regular weekday. He left and had parked his car at London Street NCP.
“When he got back those issues arose and he had enough but wanted to call me that he finally wanted to end his life and apologise to myself, my daughter, my mother and so on.
“Liam was on shift and saw my Father in the car through the window.
“Liam saw that something was wrong and rushed to help. His professionalism and quick thinking saved him.
“Liam opened the door and my Father had a belt tight around his neck and had also tried to cut his wrists.
“Liam in that moment snapped the belt so my Father could breathe again, stopped him from choking and tended to the cuts on his wrists.
“My Father at this point was weak, passing away nearly but Liam with his first aid saved him.
“He also kept talking, keeping my Father awake and aware.
“He was making sure he wasn’t alone, talking to him as kind as can be whilst protecting him until help arrived.
“When we arrived at the car park Liam was with my Father and not far behind the ambulance and police came in.
“My Father was breathing, aware I had just got there, and was holding Liam’s hand.
“The paramedics and police officers took over and Liam still helped and was around us making sure nobody took photos or asked questions about what happened until my Father was taken to hospital with me alongside him.
“Liam was incredible from start to finish. He was a real hero and so professional. What a credit to NCP for such a wonderful, beautiful human being. A lovely man who will be a close friend for life.
“Thanks to Liam we owe him everything and he needs to be known because he’s incredible.
“I also know that Liam and Steve have helped numerous customers in accidents at the car parks, giving them first aid when needed, and other support.
“Liam is an absolute hero and a wonderful gentleman.
“We need more people like Liam and I am so thankful to him that I have my Dad still here with me, and especially me and my child.
“I think it would be nice also for other people to know that if they park in that car park they know that there is a hero there to help them and a professional at what he does.
“The NCP car park on London Street in Southport is certainly my go-to place to park in Southport now and I have already recommended it to plenty of other people too!
“This has been a tough few months for our family but we have now had a much happier couple of months – that would never have happened with Liam.
“As a family, we owe everything to Liam, more than he’ll ever know, and he deserves to be rewarded, recognised and certainly known for what he has done.
“He is our superhero!”
Liam’s heroism has given the family a new life together.
The man’s daughter said: “Now my Father is much bettee. We had a lovely time awayon holiday as our family needed time away.
“My Father is so thankful to Liam and can’t express enough just how grateful he is along with myself and our family that we get to have him here still and even my daughter, his granddaughter, gets to be and see her grandfather!
“Liam because he turned events around. If he wasn’t there that day then we wouldn’t have had all this and would never have seen him again, just a terrible tragedy.
“Liam saved him, saved us and he needs to be recognised for the amazing thing he did.
“He is such a beautiful person.”
Liam Howard said: “Steve and I have worked together at the car parks on London Street and the Promenade for several years.
“We always look out for people and make sure they’re alright. We help people with all sorts of things!
“On the day this happened, I just saw the man in his car and knew something was wrong.
“I opened the door, removed the belt, and stemmed the bleeding while the ambulance was on its way.
“I am so glad this all ended well and the family have been able to share more happy times together.”
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