Montgomery County honored some brave first responders and a good Samaritan who rushed into Cabin John Creek last week to try to save a woman in a mental health crisis. Though the woman didn’t survive, the county recognized five men for providing comfort, care and a chance for survival.
About 11 a.m. June 23, officers responded to reports of a woman who attempted to kill herself at a bridge near the Beltway in Bethesda, Maryland.
Tyrone Robinson of Woodbridge, Virginia, saw it happened while on his way to work.
“Something told me to go on that side ramp to see if I could see her,” he said.
We've got the news you need to know to start your day. Sign up for the First & 4Most morning newsletter — delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here.
When Officer Michael Chindbloom spotted Robinson, the good Samaritan was keeping the woman afloat near Cabin John Creek.
“I was so glad to see him,” Robinson said. “I was a literally in the water for like 25 minutes. It was like something out of a movie.”
The two worked together to get to the other side of the creek where other first responders were waiting.
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
“Just trying to comfort her, give her words of encouragement,” Robinson said.
“Mental health is definitely a serious issue,” he said. “So, I don’t take that lightly.”
Chindbloom hopes they provided some degree of comfort.
“We can't prevent everything, but there are multiple, multiple resources out there for people who are in need, whether it's depression, whether it's some other type of form of mental illness,” he said.
He said it meant a lot to him to see someone not in uniform help someone else.
“He was my hero because he was the one put his own life on the line to help somebody that he didn't know,” Chindbloom said.
County Executive Marc Elrich gave awards to Robinson, Chindbloom, Sgt. David Hall, Officer John Chabala and Fire Inspector Rich Cavey Friday for their display of courage and bravery.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.
News4 sends breaking news stories by email. Go here to sign up to get breaking news alerts in your inbox.
