Springfield police rescue young man dangling from fence over I-5 with help of 988 call
The Springfield Police Department is emphasizing the importance of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in Lane County after officers saved a young man dangling from a chain link fence over I-5 near Gateway Street and Harlow Road on Sunday.
Officers responded to the scene after receiving calls through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline from a person who said their friend was suicidal, according to a police department release issued on Friday. Officers stopped traffic in the area in order to speak to the young man who was unresponsive to officers because he had headphones on.
A sergeant who is a trained crisis negotiator, responded to the area and was able to speak with the young man, according to the release.
"Unfortunately, the young man slipped and was hanging onto the chain link fence," according to the release. "Officers rushed to his aid and were able to keep him from falling by pulling his clothes through the fence."
Medics then arrived at the scene below the overpass on I-5 with their emergency lights activated. The young man is epileptic and began to have a seizure due to the lights and went limp, according to the release. He was solely being held up by officers grabbing him by his clothing until a Lane County Sheriff's deputy arrived and used a K9 leash to loop through the fence and tether the young man's body to the structure.
Numerous officers with the Springfield Police Department, Lane County Sheriff's Office and the Eugene Police Department took turns holding the young man to the fence while an officer used bolt cutters to cut the fence before pulling the young man through.
A Springfield Police Officer who is a former EMT, was able to clear the young man's airway and place him into a recovery position until paramedics arrived on the scene.
According to the Springfield Police Department, the young man is expected to make a full recovery.
"The young man in this case was fortunate to have both the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and a friend contact emergency personnel to assist him," according to the statement. "If you believe that someone else is in danger of suicide and you have their contact information, contact your local law enforcement for immediate help."
The 988 Lifeline provides 24-hour, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources.
Haleigh Kochanski is a breaking news and public safety reporter for The Register-Guard. You may reach her at HKochanski@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Springfield police rescue young man dangling from fence over I-5
