By Patricio G. Balona
The Daytona Beach News-Journal
FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. — A Flagler County deputy on Sunday saved a suicidal girl from jumping off an Interstate-95 overpass near Palm Coast by grabbing her hand as the girl let go of the railing, officials said.
The Sunday morning incident shut down the highway and re-routed traffic, officials said.
Deputies received a call from the juvenile’s father at 6 a.m. reporting that his daughter was threatening to harm herself, Flagler County sheriff’s spokeswoman Melissa Morreale said.
Deputies learned the girl was possibly heading to the overpass at Palm Coast Parkway and I-95. At the scene, deputies found the juvenile on the bridge holding onto the outside railing facing I-95 southbound, slowly inching her way closer toward the highway, Morreale said.
Deputies shut down Palm Coast Parkway and I-95, re-routing traffic. Multiple agencies, including the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Crisis Negotiations Team, Flagler Beach Police Department, Palm Coast Fire Department and Florida Highway Patrol responded, Morreale said.
A female deputy was brought to the scene to talk to the juvenile.
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As the deputy spoke with the girl, the teen let go of the railing to jump, but the deputy grabbed her hand before the girl could fall and used handcuffs to secure her to the rail, Morreale said.
A fire engine with a ladder was then brought to the location and the child was safely brought down, Morreale said.
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staley said all the parties who responded to the rescue saved a life.
“Someone’s daughter was saved on Father’s Day, and I hope she receives the help she needs,” Staley said.
The girl was taken into protective custody under Florida’s Baker Act law and was transported to Halifax Hospital for further medical evaluations, Morreale said.
Resources in Flagler County are available to help those struggling with mental health. For information, visit flaglerlifeline.org/local-mental-health-services or call 800-273-8255. You can also visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Flagler sheriff’s deputy saves suicidal teen from jumping off I-95 overpass
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