A woman threatening suicide was pulled from the water Friday night on Lakeshore Drive. A bystander who had jumped in after the distraught woman located her as Clearlake Police Department (CPD) arrived on scene.
Eventually, the woman was pulled to a nearby dock where she was helped out of the water by Lake County Fire Department (LCFPD) personnel. The rescuer, Corey Atkins, of Lower Lake, reported that after he had located the woman, she resisted his efforts to help her. He said that the woman repeatedly made suicidal statements as he tried to get her to come to shore.
CPD personnel were unequipped with any type of flotation device and were unable to assist the two in the water. As the LCFPD arrived on scene, Atkins was still attempting to persuade the woman to swim ashore, from a location among undergrowth and trees.
After approximately 25 minutes in the water, Atkins was able to coax the woman closer to the dock where fire personnel assisted with a retrievable flotation device. The woman was taken from the scene by ambulance for a mental health evaluation.
CPD Officer Tim Celli commended Atkins for his quick action. “We really appreciate your help,” Celli said.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
