On Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at approximately 1:02 p.m. Officers from the Flagler Beach Police Department and the Flagler Beach Fire Department were dispatched to the State Road 100/Moody Bridge for reports from citizens that a female jumped off the Bridge. The female was located alive in the Intracoastal Waterway, south of the Bridge; adjacent to the Moody Boat Ramp. Flagler Beach Fire Department Lieutenant Greg Evan’s, along with Driver/Engineer Trey Poeira, and Firefighter John Strickland entered the Intracoastal Waterway and quickly assessed the female’s injuries.
Additional assistance in this incident was provided by Staff from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, Flagler County Fire Rescue and Flagler County’s Fire-flight helicopter.
The patient in this case has been positively identified as Mandy Mincey, 48 years of age, no permanent address known. Once the patient was stabilized, she was removed from the Intracoastal Waterway and transported via ambulance to Landing Zone 23; which is a grass field located between 8th Street North and the Santa Maria Del March Church parking lot. Yesterday afternoon Ms. Mincey, who was in stable condition, was placed in protective custody at Halifax Medical under the Baker Act.
Chief Doughney stated, “The sense of urgency yesterday by our 1st Responders in Flagler Beach significantly impacted the outcome of this incident and prevented this from becoming a bigger tragedy”.
Flagler Beach Fire Chief Bobby Pace stated “The first or “Golden Hour” of care is vitally important in trauma cases like this one, and this individual was located, treated and airlifted in approximately forty-one (41) minutes from the time we received the first call. I’m beyond proud of our Department and the Police Department, as we always work together as a team here in Flagler Beach”.
Flagler Beach City Manager Dale Martin stated “In the short period of time that I’ve had the privilege to be the City Manager in Flagler Beach, our amazing group of 1st Responders have done exactly what they’re trained to do; and our City is lucky to have them. Our Lifeguards were featured in a dramatic YouTube video in which they rescued swimmers in the Atlantic Ocean, one (1) of our Police Officers was recently recognized on National television (FOX & Friends) for rescuing two (2) swimmers in the Atlantic Ocean that were caught in a dangerous riptide, and yesterday three (3) of our Firefighters entered the Intracoastal Waterway to render lifesaving aid to a woman that attempted suicide. Our City may be small in size, but our 1st Responders have big hearts and I’m extremely proud of all of them”.
Chief Doughney concluded by stating, “Imagine the mindset it takes to jump off a Bridge. Yesterday’s incident should serve as an example that life is very fragile and that there are those members of our community that truly need mental health assistance. If you’re reading this news release and you’re in distress, suicide is not the answer. The real answer is to just reach out to someone, anyone, that will listen and help. If you don’t know who to call, please call the new Nationwide suicide hotline number, 988, or call 911. Making the call is the start, and yes there truly are people who care”.
If there are any questions, please feel free to contact Chief Doughney at (386) 517-2023. The following suicide prevention information is respectfully provided.
