Kittanning #6 Ambulance prepares to transport a Kittanning-area woman to ACMH Hospital in East Franklin Township yesterday evening after an apparent jump from the Kittanning Citizens Bridge. According to police, the woman was listed in stable condition last night
by Jonathan Weaver
A Kittanning-area woman is listed in “stable” condition at ACMH Hospital in East Franklin Township after an apparent 70-foot jump from the Kittanning Citizens Bridge.
Emergency responders responded to the John P. Murtha Amphitheater in Kittanning Riverfront Park at 5:10PM yesterday.
Kittanning Borough Police Officer Kyle Lewis detailed the response.
“We had a female standing in the center south-end of the bridge. By the time I got to where I (was) at the edge of the bridge, there was a report that she jumped,” Officer Lewis said.
The woman, who Officer Lewis said would not be identified until she was cared for, was said to be on foot while crossing the bridge and did not have any visible injuries before her descent.
Along with Kittanning Hose Company #1 volunteer firefighters deploying the water rescue craft, Armstrong County Detectives Frank Pitzer and Butch Roofner responded with a portable flotation device.
“Although the water was cold, she was able to have enough strength to swim toward where we were at. As soon as she was close enough, that’s when Detective Pitzer was able to get that flotation device out there so she could grab a hold of it,” Officer Lewis said.
Officials estimated the distance at about 200 yards from the middle of the Allegheny River.
Detective Pitzer – who numbed his hand during the rescue and used the device for the first time in 15 years – said many community residents volunteered to help the woman over the amphitheater railing.
“We were in the vicinity, and I know these guys run short-handed. Officer Lewis many times is on shift by himself, and if we’re anywhere in the area, we always try to back each other up,” Detective Pitzer said. “Another half-hour or so, it could have been detrimental to getting her out (due to sunset).”
Fire Chief Gene Stephens was notified of the incident actually a few minutes before the jump after a friend called him. That extra time allowed first responders to quicken their response.
It was Hose Company #1’s first water rescue of the year.
“Hope it’s the last,” Chief Stephens said. “We had four or five (firefighters) here, but that cell phone call that I got minutes prior to dispatch helped a lot. I sent a couple guys over with life jackets running.”
Officer Lewis, who also responded to a similar incident in an early morning during mid-December, said the unidentified female was “alert and oriented” upon being treated by Kittanning #6 Ambulance.
“It was a good effort by everybody – glad she’s OK,” Officer Lewis concluded.
Last night, Officer Lewis added the woman did not indicate more circumstances about the incident, but may talk more with a doctor.