to ask a grandad to pick up child lying at edge of millenium bridge

[urbanproserpine]

I had to say something.

Walking across millennium bridge in London yesterday with my DSs and passed a Grandad and his 2.5 - 3YO. boy had one of those backpack/harnesses on, and was lying on the edge of the bridge, actually against the tensile steel cables that form the guard rails (nothing beyond that except a long drop and the Thames). His Grandad was tugging the harness to persuade him to get up, but was also taking pictures of the view and not really looking that bothered. I stopped a few steps down and looked back, and eventually I went back and said I though he should get the little boy to stand up. He refused and said he was fine, but I watched from afar until he eventually got up. I had one of those moments when you imagine what might happen and can't walk by.. I would bet that his mum wouldjn't have let him do that...

This bridge makes me feel tense because the cables are horizontal, and any child could get up and over in a moment, and it would be 'Goodnight Vienna' for certain. I always make my small DCs hold my hands across there...

AIBU?

If you felt he was unsafe, then you were right to say something. We shouldn't all mind our own business all the time, especially when children are concerned.

I hate heights and the pictures of that bridge are making me feel slightly queasy! I would have felt the same way as you OP, (while accepting that I do tend to be over panicky about such things)

But I think you were absolutely right to say something, I wish more people would say something if they are concerned for a child's safety, the worse that can happen is that the parents tell you to bog off and mind your own business, but you might prevent a tragedy by speaking up.

I think it would have made me feel nervous too but I don't think I would have said anything to his Grandad in that situation.

Interesting how perceptions cloud people's judgment. Someone said yesterday that they had been on the bridge and that it is scary as the handrails are below waist height. Unless they are huge that is just wrong, the rails are about low chest height on most adults. They are also cleverly designed so that if the try to lean on them and lift your feet off the floor your body weight pulls you backwards and away from danger' making it all but impossible to go over the top accidentally. The horizontal wires bow away from the handrail so that they cant be used as a ladder, and they are also under a lot of tension so can't be forced apart without incredible power. It's all pretty impressive (early wobble aside!) and all very safe.

YABU. There is no way they would have built that bridge with gaps in the wires wide enough for a toddler to fall through. I hope

I know it was a bit wobbly but railing safety is very basic stuff.