September marks Suicide Prevention Month – a time to remember the lives lost to suicide, the millions who have struggled with suicidal thoughts and the individuals, families, and communities that have been impacted, nationwide” the Bucks County Suicide Prevention Taskforce says.
In the spirit of prevention and as previously reported by this media organization exclusively, two ever vigilant, attentive to detail security guards saved the life of man trying to end his life in a Lower Bucks Hospital bathroom.
As we were reporting out the Lower Bucks Hospital “save” story, a tipster said a young man jumped into the Delaware River and Bristol Borough Police officers saved his life. Weeks later LBS discovered Sgt Dino Lepore, Sgt Jimmer Ellis and an unidentified boater saved him.
Lepore and Ellis were honored at Monday night’s council meeting for their truly heroic efforts. Bristol Borough officials have been reticent in sharing the actual details of the incident which is understandable given the circumstances surrounding the save. The attempt happened at the wharf, with the teen jumping into the Delaware at the end of the dock, an anonymous tipster said on August 5 in the evening hours.
Mayor Ralph DiGuiseppe III confirmed the heroic save at the August council meeting but only mentioned general descriptive information.
LBS followed up with the original tipster for more specific information – date of incident which officers were involved. The source identified the two officers with the circumstances, saying the teen jumped into the river followed immediately by the two officers, one of which the source said, also jumped the railing into the Delaware ‘to pull the kid out with a huge assist from a still unidentified boater.
Bristol police officials would not confirm or deny that account or respond to questions about which of the two officers went into the river and/or remained on the docks.
At Monday nights council two of the three heroes were recognized by Bristol Borough.
Tonight, we’re here to recognize these two gentlemen for exemplary service I mean these two officers who went above and beyond the call duty back on August 5th of this year to help save a gentleman who tried to die by suicide off of our docks their response time their efforts and the help of a local boater, we were able to save this gentleman’s life, so we want to publicly thank both of you gentlemen for everything you do for the bar day in and day out but especially this day of exemplary service and what you did save that gentleman’s life so thank you, DiGuiseppe III said.
LBS has no additional information on the young teen or the injuries he might have suffered that night. We do hope gets the help he apparently needs.
According to Bucks County Coroner Patricia Campi, 86 people died by suicide in both 2022 and 2023.
If you or someone you know needs help please call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Filed under “Stories that Matter”
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