OLD SAYBROOK, Conn. — Two Connecticut State Troopers are being praised for their actions in saving a woman who was in danger of falling 100 feet into the Connecticut River on Monday.
A dramatic video released Thursday showed state troopers rescuing the woman who was sitting on the other side of the protective fence, on a five-inch-ledge, over the Connecticut River.
Troopers were called to the Interstate 95 bridge over the Connecticut River, above water between the towns of Old Saybrook and Old Lyme.
When they arrived, police said they found a woman who had climbed from the pedestrian sidewalk, over the metal safety fencing and was precariously seated on the ledge. While Sgt. Matthew Belz talked calmly to build a rapport with the distressed woman, Sgt. Ashley Harkins climbed over the safety fence, putting herself in a perilous position on the narrow ledge above the river.
Harkins moved behind the woman and placed both arms around her. Baldwin held her hands on the fence and essentially securing the woman to the bridge with her body. Both sergeants talked the woman into moving her hands to the fencing and then climbing onto Harkins' legs so the other troopers on the sidewalk could pull her to safety back over the fence and into an awaiting ambulance for immediate treatment.
DEEP Colonel Chris Lewis and State Troopers from Troop F also assisted on the scene.
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please call 988 for immediate help, 24/7.
Doug Stewart is a Senior Digital Content Producer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dstewart@fox61.com.
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