At around 11:57 a.m. on Dec. 26 2017, officers of the Morgantown Police Department, Morgantown Fire Department, Westover Police Department, Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office and Granville Fire Department responded to a report of a person jumping off the Westover Bridge.
Officers arrived on scene and found a female subject floating down the Monongahela River between the Westover Bridge and Star City. Morgantown Police Officers were able to establish voice contact with the victim as she floated downstream and relayed her location to the Morgantown Fire Department and Granville Fire Department Personnel.
Fire Department personnel from Morgantown and Granville both launched boats. Crews responded to the victim, where she was pulled to safety by fire personnel. The victim was transported to the Walnut Street boat ramp to an awaiting ambulance.
It is not the policy of the Morgantown Police Department to release personal information on suicide attempts; however, the victim is known to local authorities and is a 27-year-old female who resides in Monongalia County. She has been transported to Ruby Memorial Hospital for treatment. The victim was suffering from hypothermia related issues because of her entry into the Monongahela River.
The current water temperature is 38 degrees and the ambient air temperature is 23 degrees. A person exposed to temperatures of this nature can lose consciousness within 15-30 minutes. The cooperation of all of the first responders, working in coordination under MECCA 911 and the concerned caller that reported the incident, resulted in the timely rescue of this person.
The Morgantown Police Department is committed to its goal of eliminating crime in our city. Citizens are encouraged to become a “Partner in Policing”, by reporting suspected criminal activity to Morgantown Police Department Switchboard at 304-284-7522. If you need immediate police attention or a crime is in progress call 911.