Suicide Attempt Interdicted, Life Saved

During the early evening hours of Tuesday, May 8th, a 53-year-old Mechanicville man attempted suicide at the Cold Harbor park unit by taking a large number of prescription drugs and drinking a bottle of rum. He’d called his wife earlier in the day and left a “good-bye to life” voice mail message on their home phone. She called the Hanover County Sheriff’s Department, which relayed the information to the park. A protection ranger responded and joined the man’s son in searching for him. They found him lying half-conscious on the ground within the earthworks. A suicide note was found nearby. The ranger provided initial first aid, with East Hanover Rescue Squad later administering advanced care. The man was transported to Memorial Region Hospital, where he is slowly recovering and will then be admitted for psychiatric care. The attending doctor said that the quick EMS response by the ranger and rescue squad personnel saved the man’s life. [