Layke Anderson appeals for help to track down Aussie who saved his life in London

An award-winning British filmmaker has asked the internet for help after a mysterious Australian woman stopped him moments before he was going to take his own life on a train platform.

Layke Anderson, 38, is hoping his viral Twitter thread will help track down the woman who saved his life at Vauxhall tube station in London almost four years ago.

He already personally thanked her when the pair bumped into each other by chance in an emotional reunion at a bar a year later – but he never found out her name or saw her again.

Mr Anderson said he often thinks about his ‘guardian angel’, who he described as a brunette who had a grown up son.

British filmmaker Layke Anderson (pictured) has launched a public appeal to help track down the Aussie brunette who saved his life

‘In late 2018, I tried to end my life on a tube platform,’ the thread of tweets began.

‘A woman saw what was happening, and stopped me. At the time, all I could remember about this woman were her earrings — like Qing Dynasty coins. I don’t recall much else to be honest, and I never told anyone.

A year later, Mr Anderson was out having a beer with his best mate when he became aware of a presence and felt he was being watched. 

‘I’d forgotten my specs (glasses) at home, but when I turned around, I knew immediately it was her. She was about 100 feet away,’ he recalled.

‘While I’d not told anyone the story, I decided there and then to tell my mate everything. It was difficult to share how I’d been feeling, but he’s the very best. 

‘He too turned to look, but she and I were already on our feet. I don’t recall us saying anything… we simply hugged.

‘I recall feeling her heart beating, and of course, the earrings… she was wearing the same exact earrings’.

Mr Anderson discovered the woman was Australian, who had moved to the UK for work.

‘She was sat with another lady, someone she’d only just met, and had been telling her the story of that morning,’ he recounted.

‘”She was just telling me… describing you… and then out of nowhere you sat down in front of us”‘, the friend said.

‘It was a surreal moment for sure, yet felt sort of expected somehow, in that I had the opportunity to look this woman in the eyes and thank her for saving my life.’

Layke Anderson tried to take his own life on the Vauxhall tube platform in late 2018 before a guardian angel from Australia intervened

Layke Anderson tried to take his own life on the Vauxhall tube platform in late 2018 before a guardian angel from Australia intervened

Mr Anderson hopes to find the Aussie again to let her know what she did for him as he urged everyone to watch out for each other.

‘In a world so saturated by choices, living lives with ever more options, we still don’t get to choose our guardian angels,’ Mr Anderson concluded.

‘But if we’re very lucky, like I was, they will find us when we need them. They’re watching, so let’s watch out for each other. Sharing this only with love.’

Mr Anderson was flooded with messages of support from well-wishers while other shared their own battles with their personal demons.

‘Your recollection is such a beautiful gift to us all. It shows how we are all put in places for a reason, and the absolute proof of a divine power in charge is that both of your paths crossed again in the most amazing way! I have seen this in my life too,’ one woman commented.

Another added: ‘I have thought about ending it many times very recently as well, I always manage to chase it away, but be sure, one day it will get me. I love this story though Full of hope and kindness.’

Layke Anderson in early 2019, several months after his life was saved by a mysterious stranger

Layke Anderson in early 2019, several months after his life was saved by a mysterious stranger

The filmmaker is on a mission to track down the woman with the Qing Dynasty coin earrings

The filmmaker is on a mission to track down the woman with the Qing Dynasty coin earrings

Mr Anderson later revealed he was overwhelmed by the massive response.

‘I’m deeply, deeply touched beyond all words and trying to read and respond to every message, while also sending my heartfelt condolences to all those who have lost someone in such circumstances,’ he said.

His work has won and been screened at dozens of international film festivals, including his debut film  Dylan’s Room.

Mr Anderson previously worked as an actor and starred in the 2009 Luxembourg-set feature film H.O.B alongside Udo Kier and Stephen Fry.

Filming has started on his latest project Sweet Brother- a philosophical inquiry into the darkest realms of the soul, and a meditation on man’s fall from grace.

Layke Anderson urged everyone to look out for each other as he recalled the harrowing ordeal

Layke Anderson urged everyone to look out for each other as he recalled the harrowing ordeal

If you or anyone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636