CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Crews rescued a man from the Scioto River after a crash along a highway in Chillicothe where he tried to commit suicide, according to troopers.
The crash occurred at around 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday along route 23 northbound near the route 35 split — also known as the Main Street exit.
Officials reported that the crash happened on the bridge that goes over the Scioto River.
A pickup driven by Christopher Long, 39, Chillicothe, hit a minivan driven by Horace McGlone, 77, Portsmouth. The minivan then struck a semi-truck driven by Todd Wanous, 67, of McGregor, Minnesota.
Troopers said Long got out of the pickup and made an apparent suicide attempt by jumping off of the bridge, landing on the bank of the Scioto River over forty feet below. Rescue crews were activated with boats and ropes to scour the water. Nearly an hour later, crews located Long, who was awake and talking. Officials reported he had serious head trauma and broken limbs. He was hoisted off the banks of the river and into a waiting medical helicopter.
It was not immediately released if the others involved in the crash were injured.
Long was under the influence of drugs and alcohol, trooper said.
Route 23 was closed as crews worked the scene.
If you or someone you know is suffering from thoughts of self harm, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in the United States is available 24 hours a day at 800-273-8255.
EDITOR’S NOTE: We will cover mental health and suicide as broad public health issues as consistently as we cover other health matters. We will cover individual events of suicide as news stories if they involve prominent figures or public means.