By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The life of a suicidal woman poised to jump from a Highway 401 overpass was saved earlier this year, thanks to Chatham-Kent first responders.
The combined efforts of the team – which included nine Chatham-Kent police officers and 10 911 operators – were recognized at a recent Chatham-Kent Police Services board meeting, with each individual receiving a Chief’s Commendation from police chief Kirk Earley.
“The co-ordinated efforts by everyone involved contributed to the most desirable outcome,” said Earley, as he praised the team for “good judgment and teamwork” in saving the woman’s life.
According to a statement from Earley, police received a call from a suicide hotline May 16, requesting a well-being check on a woman who was planning to commit suicide.
The previous day, officers had dealt with the woman on the same issue and brought her to hospital for treatment.
Because he had dealt with the woman May 15, Const. Nathan Pratt began to search for her. Simultaneously, police began to receive multiple 911 calls of a woman atop the Charing Cross Road overpass.
C-K constables Ryan Gardiner and Alex Mungar came next and discovered the woman on the bridge dangling her feet over the edge. The officers requested that Charing Cross Road be closed, that C-K Fire & Rescue assist below, and that OPP shut down Hwy. 401.
According to Earley, Gardiner began negotiating with the woman while four officers blocked traffic.
Two other officers arrived, with Const. Rick Bertok talking with the woman, as he had spoken with her previously. Then, within 30 minutes of coming on scene, constables Gardiner and Bertok were able to grab the woman and pull her to safety.
Earley said that emergency communications operators were “instrumental in the positive outcome” from the outset, managing to operate at “peak performance” even though the incident occurred during a shift change.
CKPS police officers receiving a commendation include Pratt, Gardiner, Mungar, Avery Wilson, Branden Grellmore, Marko Sapateiro, Joel Rehill, Bertok and Sgt. Josh Flikweert.
Emergency communications operators recognized include Brock Bechard, Helen Grubb, Samantha Cowdrey, Danielle Bird, Jennifer Roesch, Tori Labadie, Keely Smith, McKenna Ladd, Brook-lyn Phelan and Camryn Dudley.
