Quick-thinking Uber driver, 41, saves the life of brain cancer patient by calling 911 after he requested to be dropped off at Florida's top suicide spot and jumped off pier, only to be revived by rescuers
- Chad Farley, 41, spoke with his passenger who revealed a brain cancer diagnosis
- Farley realized the drop off was in the middle of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge
- Once he figured out the man was likely going to kill himself, he jumped to action
- He got a photo of his passenger and called 911 after he dropped him at a safe location, police responded and were able to save the man's life
Uber driver Chad Farley (pictured) is being called a hero after he saved a suicidal passenger's life by calling 911
An Uber driver in Florida is being hailed a hero after calling 911 on his despondent passenger who was suicidal after revealing he recently learned he has brain cancer.
Chad Farley, 41, who has been driving with Uber for the past year, says his passenger's destination was suspect, as he requested to be dropped in the middle of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in St. Petersburg.
The span has the grim distinction as Florida's top destination for suicide. Farley had chatted with his passenger who is in his 20s as they drove and the man said he had been diagnosed with brain cancer.
Farley says his passenger 'hopped in and began to tell me of his month old diagnosis of a certain brain cancer and the new procedure his doctor wants to use that has a lower risk than the alternative.'
'I noticed that the destination for this passenger was dead smack at the center of the Skyway Bridge so I asked him where he was going.'
'He gave me the weirdest story that was not even close to being believable' says Farley.
Scroll down for video
Uber driver Chad Farley called 911 with a photo of his passenger and let police know his passenger was contemplating suicide
Farely's quick thinking saved his passenger's life when he called 911. State troopers responded and they were able to rescue the man from the water
His passenger went on to tell him that his doctor told him to have an ambulance pick him up in the middle of the span. Farley knew his passenger's story didn't add up, so he jumped to action.
Farely continued to talk to the man and stopped at the toll booth for the bridge and gave an 'eye signal' to the booth attendant to say 'that 'something was up with my passenger.'
The toll's supervisor advised them to drive to the rest area near the pier and use the phone there to call the ambulance.
He and his passenger continued to chat, and he assured Farley he would not jump, but Farley knew he was lying.
'He was getting out, but before he did, I told him how much God loves him,' Farley told the Tampa Bay Times. 'I just held out my hand, and when he gave me his hand it was shaking like an uneven wheel on a car going down the highway, it was shaking so badly.'
The driver then prayed with his passenger before asking for a photo. He told the man he wanted to remember him when he prayed, but Farley really wanted the photo for something more urgent.
The rest area where Farley took his passenger to safety, away from the bridge span he originally wanted to be dropped off at
Uber driver's call about passenger he feared was suicidal leads to water rescue off Skyway
Farley shared his experience with his passenger to Facebook
They said their goodbyes at the fishing pier near the approach to the bridge and Farley called 911. He used the photo to send to the cops to let them know his suicidal passenger's plans.
The highway patrol arrived soon after and started talking to the man, when he jumped into the water despite their pleas.
The troopers jumped in after him and searched underwater. They were able to locate him after several minutes and gave him CPR until medical responders arrived.
Sgt. Steve Gaskins, spokesman for the Florida Highway Patrol, told the Tampa Bay Times, the two troopers Cpl. Robert Friesen and Trooper Kristen Middleton 'did an outstanding job.'
Gaskins also praised Farley for calling 911: 'We're the ones trained to deal with people in these kinds of situations.'
Uber, in a statement to the Times: 'We deeply appreciate Mr. Farley's quick thinking and compassion for his rider, as well as law enforcement's fast response.'
The man was listed in critical but stable condition at Bayfront Medical Center on Tuesday. The troopers were not injured.
Farley says he is planning to visit his passenger in the hospital.
If any readers are seeking help, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1-800-273-8255 or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
Most watched News videos
- Search for dead body of 9-year-old rape victim in 7ft deep grave
- William reveals funny moment a young boy swore at Prince Philip
- Drone footage captures moment lava destroys La Palma swimming pool
- 'Oh Philip!' Prince Harry impersonates the Queen in Royal documentary
- Prince Harry: The Queen and Prince Philip were 'most adorable couple'
- Boris tells UN: 'Kermit the Frog was wrong, it IS easy being green'
- Father of 'murdered' children shares video of photos of them
- Piers Corbyn arrives at school to put kids off getting the vaccine
- That's quite strong!: Sophie taken aback by whisky at market
- Prince Philip's mustard prank that 'got him in trouble' with Queen
- Prince Charles' last words to Prince Philip on the eve of his death
- Rayner mocks Boris for making 'zero progress' on US trade deal
