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Two cops leap into river to save ‘gurgling’ woman trapped under Georgia boat dock

A woman who plummeted from a Georgia bridge was rescued when two police officers heard “gurgling” under a nearby dock and leaped into the water to pull her out.

It happened Tuesday, Feb. 8, along the Little River Bridge in Savannah, according to the Savannah Police Department in northeast Georgia.

The woman survived, but her identity and condition have not been released.

Investigators say officers were called to the bridge around 5:15 p.m. “after someone witnessed a woman leaning far over the bridge,” according to a news release. A video released by the department reveals the woman wasn’t wearing shoes when passersby saw her.

A woman who jumped from a Georgia bridge was rescued when two Savannah police officers heard “gurgling” and leaped into the river.
A woman who jumped from a Georgia bridge was rescued when two Savannah police officers heard “gurgling” and leaped into the river. Video screenshot

“Oh, my God, she just jumped. She just jumped,” one caller told a 911 operator.

The woman quickly “disappeared under the water,” officials said. Personnel from multiple departments joined a search area, including some using boats borrowed from people who live in the area, officials said.

“After searching the area for some time, officers heard gurgling and found that the woman was under the water under the dock that some of them were standing on,” officials said. “The officers on the dock attempted to pull her up but were unsuccessful.”

Realizing the woman may not survive much longer, “Sgt. Sharif Lockett and Officer William Fitzpatrick — jumped into the water and collectively worked to pull the woman onto the dock.”

Video shows a group took the woman from the two officers and pulled her onto the dock. She was treated by EMS personnel at the scene, officials said.

“We are so proud of all of the officers involved for their joint rescue actions,” Chief Roy Minter said in the release.

“It was definitely a team effort for all officers, first responders and citizens involved — from the extensive search to the rescue. We know that had these officers not responded and acted so quickly that this could have had a tragic outcome.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling or texting 988.

This story was originally published February 11, 2022 at 6:58 AM with the headline "Two cops leap into river to save ‘gurgling’ woman trapped under Georgia boat dock."

MP
Mark Price
The Charlotte Observer
Mark Price is a state reporter for The Charlotte Observer and McClatchy News outlets in North Carolina. He joined the network of newspapers in 1991 at The Charlotte Observer, covering beats including schools, crime, immigration, LGBTQ issues, homelessness and nonprofits. He graduated from the University of Memphis with majors in journalism and art history, and a minor in geology. 
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