Student who nearly died after fall from Bristol club roof in emotional reunion with stranger who saved his life

“It’s not often you get to meet the person who saved your life and say thank you."

A Bristol University student who nearly died after falling from the roof of a nightclub has had an emotional reunion – with the stranger who helped save his life.

Tom Biggart fell asleep on Zero Degrees bar in Colston Street during a night out with a friend in December 2017.

He fell 35ft feet onto the ground below, suffering horrific injuries to his leg and head, and was found by a passer-by, known only as Simon.

Tom, who was studying languages at the University of Bristol, was rushed to Southmead Hospital’s intensive care unit where surgeons performed life saving surgery.

He was in a coma for seven weeks, with his family by his bedside, before being transferred to the Oxford Centre for Enablement where he spent four months in a rehabilitation unit re-learning simple, everyday tasks.

Tom, 24, eventually returned to live at home in Kingsutton, attending rehab sessions once a week, and began working as a gardener for a family friend.

He returned to Bristol this autumn to finish his fourth year of his language degree and set about trying to find the man he knew only as Simon.

Following an appeal in the Bristol Post, Simon got in touch.

The pair met for the first time this week and enjoyed lunch together at Pinkmans in Park Street.

Tom said: “It was a big moment.

“It’s not often you get to meet the person who saved your life and say thank you.

“We chatted and we hugged. It was so great to meet him.”

Tom said that on that fateful night Simon, who lives in Bristol, told him he was out walking his dog in the early hours and heard a large thud.

“He actually heard me fall from the roof, “ said Tom.

“He then called the ambulance and waited with me until crews arrived.

“We sat and chatted about what happened.”

The pair now plan to stay in touch while Tom, who lives with his brother Ed in the city, finishes his degree.

“He is such an awesome guy and we are definitely going to stay in touch.”

Following his fall Tom’s friends at Bristol University rallied together to raise nearly £14,000 for Southmead Hospital.

Tom has written blogs about his experiences following his fall which can be read at https://lukciestmanalive.com.