By Connecticut State Police
(November 30, 2023) — Your Connecticut State Troopers are just a phone call away, 24/7/365.
Thanks to several 911 calls on Monday, November 27, 2023, Troopers responded to Interstate 95 on the Baldwin Bridge, which stands approximately 100 feet above the Connecticut River and straddles the towns of Old Saybrook and Old Lyme.
On the bridge, Troopers located a female who had climbed from the pedestrian sidewalk over the metal safety fencing and was precariously seated on a five inch ledge. While Sgt. Matthew Belz talked calmly to build a rapport with the distressed female, Sgt. Ashley Harkins swiftly and skillfully climbed over the safety fence, putting herself in a perilous position on the narrow ledge above the chilly, flowing river.
Moving with agility, Sgt. Harkins shifted into place behind the female and placed both arms around the female, securing her own hands to the safety fence and essentially securing the female to the bridge with her body. Both sergeants talked the distressed female into moving her hands to the fencing and then climbing onto the legs of Sgt. Harkins so that responding Troopers on the sidewalk could pull her to safety back over the fence and into an awaiting ambulance for immediate treatment.
We applaud the quick, decisive actions of Sgt. Harkins and Sgt. Belz in saving the life of the female. Thanks to DEEP Colonel Chris Lewis and State Troopers from Troop F who also assisted on scene.
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please call 988 for immediate help, 24/7.
