BUTLER TOWNSHIP — Vandalia firefighters performed a dramatic rescue of a suicidal woman over I-70 early Friday afternoon. The woman, who police have not identified, was transported to an area hospital for evaluation according to Butler Township Police Lieutenant Chris Guthrie.
“We got several 911 calls that a woman was hanging from the fence where Dixie Drive crosses over I-70,” said Guthrie. We responded along with Vandalia police and fire as well as the Ohio State Patrol to begin talking to the young lady. She was wanting to kill herself today.”
Guthrie estimated that the woman was in her late teens to early 20’s.
Dixie Drive was shut down in both directions at the I-70 overpass and the ramp from southbound I-75 to westbound I-70 was also shut down to allow a Vandalia ladder truck to reach the woman. It was eventually two firefighters on that ladder that brought the woman to safety.
Guthrie said that Vandalia Detective Jenny Chiles played a key role in successfully convincing the woman to come down.
“Fortunately she was able to talk to her, establish a rapport with her and convince her to come down and talk to us,” said Guthrie. “I don’t know about her (Chiles’) training, but I was very glad she was here today.”
