By Laura French
CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. — A Georgia paramedic received a commendation from her coworkers after talking a suicidal man off of a bridge while off-duty.
Chatham County Paramedic Mindy Cauley had just finished working an extra shift late at night and was driving home when she saw a man walking on the bridge, according to WTOC. After seeing him climb onto a ledge, Cauley stopped her vehicle, called 911 and went to talk to the man, who told her he was suicidal.
Cauley said that although she didn’t have previous experience talking someone out of a suicidal situation, she was able to get the man to open up to her and at one point grabbed underneath his arm when he leaned forward over the edge of the bridge.
Cauley stayed with the man until on-duty first responders arrived and transported him to the hospital. She said she has since visited him at the hospital and believes she was meant to be on the bridge that night to save the man’s life. Cauley received a commendation from her coworkers for going above and beyond the call of duty.