HOUSTON, TX – MAY 20: Salvador Perez

It’s not often we can say an umpire or a referee deserves MVP honors. However, MLB umpire John Tumpane is an exception.

Before he worked behind home plate at the Pittsburgh Pirates-Tampa Bay Rays game Wednesday night, he went out for a run and lunch, and noticed a women climbing over the railing at the Roberto Clemente Bridge in Pittsburgh.

The 34-year-old saw there weren’t many people in the area, so he ran toward the woman and had the following exchange according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

“I just wanted to get a better look of the city from this side,” she replied, according to the umpire’s recollection.“Oh no,” Tumpane said, hooking his arm around hers. “You don’t want to do that. It’s just as good over here. Let’s go grab some lunch and talk.”

“No, no, no,” she answered. “I’m better off on this side. Just let me go.”

“I’m not going to let you go,” he said. “Let’s talk this out. We’ll get you back over here.”

“No one wants to help me,” she repeated. “Just let me go.”

“No, we’re here to help you.”

“You’ll forget me tomorrow.”

“I’ll never forget you,” he said. “You can have my promise on that.”

Tumpane instructed a bystander to call 911, and as he waited for help to arrive, that’s when the woman tried to escape from his grip.

At times, she dangled both feet off the bridge’s edge, putting her full weight in his arms.

A couple of other men rushed over to help Tumpane hold the woman and lift her back over the railing until emergency personnel arrived.

An hour after the scary moment, a still shaken Tumpane headed to PNC Park for work.

“You never know what somebody’s day looks like,” he said. “It’s a nice day, everyone’s out for a walk, and somebody’s not having the same day you’re having. I was just glad to help.”

Tumpane hopes to connect with the woman again once she is feeling a little better.

If you or someone you know might be suicidal, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline which is open 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255.