Dane Entze: Hero Utah man jumps into ‘cold and icy’ river to save woman who tried to drown herself
Warning: This article includes comments about suicide and depression that could be traumatic for some readers. Discretion is advised.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO: A Utah man courageously jumped into a “cold and icy” river when he saw a woman trying to take her own life. Dane Entze reportedly said he was headed home with his wife after celebrating their anniversary when they saw the unidentified woman. The couple was passing through Idaho Falls on Saturday, November 19, while on their way to Elk Ridge, Utah, where they live.
“It's cold and it’s icy, not to mention the area is extremely dangerous down there. We’re fond of the area because we met on our first date there,” Entze said. He also mentioned that they saw the woman near the Snake River around ten in the morning. He continued, “My wife turns over and says, 'Oh my gosh, Dane, there’s a car driving into the river.’ I look over, look kind of across and look down into the area, and sure enough, there’s an SUV driving into the water — certainly not something you’d expect to see every day.”
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The husband and wife immediately decided to help as the man made his way onto a ramp after jumping a fence. Entze reportedly shared, “She was pretty calm, but distraught. I asked her... 'Is there anybody else in the car? Are you okay? Are you injured or anything like that?' and she said, 'No, there’s no one else in the car. I’m committing suicide.’ And so I started talking to her, and I said, 'I don’t know who you are, but I’m here and I love you and I’m going to help you.’”
However, the Utah man soon understood that he needed to do more as the woman claimed she "didn’t want to live,” FOX 13 reported. “I knew that it was time, we needed to get her out, had to get her out. I threw off my jacket, jumped in the water, and I waded out to her, brought her to the shore,” he described.
After the woman was brought to safety, the pair helped her dry off and warm up before first responders arrived. Entze claimed that the whole ordeal was too much for him that he even forgot to dry off himself. He told the television station, “It was an emotional drive. A couple times on the drive back, we cried a couple times because it gave us a lot to think about. We have struggles of our own, but some people out there are really hurting.”
Entze also noted, "Doing something kind is all it takes. You don’t have to do something dramatic or dangerous to help somebody else. Be vigilant.” Besides, Entze is reportedly in contact with the woman as well as her family. He added that he’s sure the woman is in touch with some professional to get better as soon as possible.