OAK HILL, WV (LOOTPRESS) – An Oak Hill police officer was presented with the Life Saving Award at the city’s regular council meeting on Monday for his heroic efforts in saving a man hanging from the New River Gorge Bridge.
According to the Oak Hill Police Department, on July 6, 2023, the Fayette County 911 center dispatched units to the New River Gorge Bridge for a male subject standing in the middle of the bridge overlooking the railing on the southbound lane.
While three deputies approached the subject, he climbed over the railing and proceeded to lower himself down, hanging onto the railing.
Deputies grabbed a hold of his arms, trying to pull the subject back over the railing. They were soon joined by a fourth deputy. They were still unable to get the subject back across the railing.
It wasn’t until the rescue was joined by Sergeant Josh Jones of the Oak Hill Police Department that officers were able to drag the subject between the railing and concrete barrier, bringing him safely up over and onto the railing.
Sergeant Jones and the other four deputies are being commended for their heroic actions that saved this individual’s life.
Sergeant Josh Jones of the Oak Hill Police Department was presented with the Life Saving Award at Monday night’s council meeting.
Sgt. Jones received a standing ovation from those in attendance at the meeting and was called a “hero” by Mayor Charles Briscoe.
