Woman dies in jump from bridge
DUNBAR TWP. – Emergency personnel recovered the body of a Connellsville woman from the Youghiogheny River after she jumped from the West Crawford Avenue Bridge Wednesday morning. Fayette County Deputy Coroner Marisa Springer said Monica Yatsko, 53, was pronounced dead at the scene by Deputy Coroner Ross Rock at 10:24 a.m.
Deputy Coroner Jessie Langer said an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death for Yatsko.
Fire Chief Dennis Petrowski said he watched the incident unfold from a window at the Connellsville fire station.
Petrowski said he noticed Yatsko walking on the bridge while he was looking out a back window around 9 a.m. while fireman Bill Mickey was working on a computer.
“I glanced away for a few seconds, and when I looked back she had climbed over the bridge and was standing on the I-beam holding on to the hand railing when she just stepped back and let go. Bill got up and looked and no sooner than he said, ‘I hope she doesn’t jump,’ she jumped feet first,” Petrowski said.
Petrowski said he immediately called Fayette County 911 to dispatch New Haven Hose Fire Company’s rescue boat, in addition to the Connellsville Police Department and Fayette EMS.
Petrowski said he and Mickey then jumped in a fire truck and drove to Yough River Park to try and rescue Yatsko with a rope as she traveled farther downstream. Petrowski said when they arrived at the park, Yatsko was already out of their reach.
Mickey said Yatsko appeared to be on her back and splashing her hands when she first hit the water but was floating facedown by the time they reached her.
Mickey estimated that Yatsko was in the water for about 10 minutes before Rick Adobato, director of operations for Fayette EMS, along with New Haven firefighters Bob Topper Jr. and Bill Warmuth reached her body by boat near the village of Adelaide.
“The guys from New Haven did a great job with the boat. Their response time was the best I’ve ever seen,” Adobato said.
According to Adobato, the water temperature in the Youghiogheny was 49 degrees at the time.
Charles Kottler, hydraulic water manager with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Pittsburgh, said the water levels Wednesday were more than 3 feet above normal.
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