Cronulla star Nicho Hynes helped talk down a man from a bridge who was considering taking his own life south of Sydney on Sunday.
Hynes and Sharks assistant coaches Steve Price and Daniel Holdsworth pulled over after witnessing a middle-aged man in a distressed state on the Sea Cliff Bridge at Stanwell Park. Multiple sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity given the sensitive nature of the events, confirmed the incident.
Holdsworth, who was driving, pulled over after the trio saw the man on the other side of the railing. Hynes and Price noticed a bottle of wine near the man, who was agitated and saying repeatedly “I’ve had enough”.
While Holdsworth was calling the police, Price and Hynes approached and each grabbed the man by the arms, pulling him to safety. The man recognised superstar footballer Hynes, who along with former Dragons head coach Price calmed him down by talking about rugby league and the acquaintances they had in common.
The Sharks trio then drove the man away from the scene and assisted him to medical help. Hynes and Price contacted the man on Monday to check on his welfare and promised to take him to a Sharks game whenever he feels well enough to attend.
Hynes is a tireless ambassador for mental health causes, including a collaboration with Gotcha4Life to create a Mental Fitness Round in May.
Cronulla star Nicho Hynes.Credit: Kate Geraghty, SMH
“My motivation for Mental Fitness Round is to encourage open conversations, checking in on your mates and becoming mentally fit,” Hynes said in April.
“I know firsthand the power of vulnerability and connection. As a footballer, I dedicate a lot of time to looking after my body, but exercising the mind is even more crucial for not just my performance, but my everyday life.”
Hynes, who has spoken openly about his own mental health battles, has another career setback to overcome. Just weeks after being dropped from the NSW side, the Cronulla playmaker is facing two months on the sideline after breaking his leg.
The 28-year-old suffered a leg fracture and syndesmosis rupture at training on Monday in a huge blow to the Sharks’ top-four hopes.
“It has been confirmed that Nicho has a complete syndesmosis rupture, plus a tibia fracture to his left ankle,” Sharks head of performance Nathan Pickworth said.
“He will undergo surgery tomorrow [Wednesday], with an estimated return to the field of approximately eight weeks.”
Hynes is aiming to return for the final game of the regular season, against Manly at 4 Pines Park on September 8. Daniel Atkinson has been given the first opportunity to fill the void after being named in the halves alongside Brayden Trindall for Friday’s clash with Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval.
If you or anyone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 131 114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.