A couple of Chatham-Kent police officers are being recognized for their quick thinking during an attempted suicide that saved the life of a Merlin man.
Constables Mike Van Kesteren and Jayme O'Reilly received a board citation during Wednesday’s police board meeting from Chief Gary Conn.
According to a report presented to the board, officers responded to a residence on Talbot Trail near Merlin around 9:17 a.m. on Tuesday, February 9, 2021, in relation to a suicide call.
The homeowners woke up that morning around 9 a.m. to find a handwritten note in their son's bedroom which read, "Sorry, love you all. The pain is too much."
At the rear of the property were steep cliffs that are approximately 80 to 100 feet high from the top of the backyard to Lake Erie below.
Police said footprints could be seen in the snow that led away from the back of the residence. Shortly after, police received an update that the man could be seen lying on the ice-covered ground below wearing jeans and a t-shirt.
Constable Kestern and O'Reilly found a rope and rappelled down the cliff to the beach to the man. He was conscious but appeared to be suffering from hypothermia and a few injuries, according to the report.
Blankets and make-shift heating apparatuses were lowered for the two officers to use while they applied first aid to the man. He was eventually rescued and transported by helicopter to Victora Hospital in London.
It was later determined the man had sustained an orbital bone fracture which required surgery to repair, as well as a fracture to his L1-L2 vertebrae and severe hypothermia because of extreme exposure to the outdoor elements.
In addition, further heart complications were discovered due to the stage of hypothermia, and the man was in a "near death" state as a result of the suicide attempt.
Acting Station Chief Randy Moore from the Chatham-Kent Fire Service provided a statement that read, "Just wanted to acknowledge the bravery of the officers who risked their own lives to offer support to the young man today at the incident on Talbot Trail in Merlin. Their actions saved this guy's life."
