PARKERSBURG - Members of the Parkersburg High School crew team came to the aid of a man who told police he jumped from the Parkersburg-Belpre Bridge at about 4 p.m. Saturday, officials said.
Parkersburg Police Department spokesman Sgt. Greg Collins said David Paul Deskins, 31, who had a Columbus address but said he had moved to Belpre, said he jumped from the bridge. Deskins was treated and released from Camden Clark Medical Center on Saturday.
Parkersburg High School crew team members reportedly helped save Deskins.
Crew members were returning to Parkersburg from a picnic at Blennerhassett Island when they saw someone fall or jump off the bridge into the Ohio River, said crew team coach Bub Fulton.
According to Fulton, a crew team member called 911 while he held the man above water until rescue officials arrived. Fulton said the Parkersburg Fire Department was the first emergency responder.
"He was conscious but unresponsive," Fulton said of the man in the river.
Fulton said he held onto Deskins' collar area and belt to keep him above the water.
"The kids notified one of the coaches and that coach came and got me," said Fulton. "We went back down the river and found him floating."
Fulton said he was proud of his team for doing the right thing by informing their coaches and calling 911.
"It was a good team effort," he said. "Everybody was trained and knew what to do."
Fulton said three of the coaches remained with the man while emergency crews and EMS officials responded to the man's medical needs. He said one coach stayed with the team members to make sure they were fine.
"It was extremely fortunate that we were able to be in the right place at the right time," he said.
