Video: N.Y. Police Officer Jumps Into Icy River to Rescue Person
What to know
- An Auburn police officer jumped into frigid water Thursday evening to rescue a person experiencing a mental health crisis after they jumped from a bridge into the Owasco River.
- Officers Edward Pickard and Lucas Drancsak climbed down a concrete wall to reach the shoreline, and Pickard swam about 15 yards in 35‑degree water to pull the person to safety.
- The person was taken to the hospital for treatment, and police said emergency crews coordinated care for both the rescued individual and the officer.
Officers Edward Pickard and Lucas Drancsak were the first to arrive and spotted the person in the water. The officers ran to the south shoreline, climbed down a 10-foot concrete wall and began removing their vests and duty belts.
Officer Pickard went into the water and swam toward the person, who was about 15 yards from shore, police said. He grabbed them by the upper torso and began pulling them back.
At one point, Pickard went underwater but continued to pull the person toward shore, police said.
Pickard brought the person to the shoreline, where Officer Drancsak helped pull them fully onto land.
Drancsak alerted responding crews and coordinated care for both the rescued person and Pickard.
Auburn City Ambulance and the Auburn Fire Department moved the person to the road, where they were taken to Auburn Community Hospital for treatment.
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