‘It was heartbreaking': Emotional video shows community helping woman sitting in middle of street

MCKEES ROCKS, Pa. — A video gaining attention on Facebook shows the importance of helping others.

Last week, two men driving down Broadway Avenue in McKees Rocks came across a woman they didn’t know sitting with her legs crossed in the middle of the street.

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“I just couldn’t imagine what was going through her mind to lead her to that point. Emotionally, it just really broke me down,” said Lamont Sherrell, who stopped to help.

Sherrell and Greg Medley started talking with her, trying to get an idea of what was wrong. They watched as cars and buses weaved out of the way, but no one stopped to help.

“Buses, cars, trucks, you name it. They were coming by and it was just unheard of. There was no humanity in it,” Medley said.

They continued to talk and listen, eventually blocking traffic to keep the young woman safe.

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“We were just telling her that she had worth. We were just telling her that we understood where she was coming from. We were just trying to encourage her that there’s another day,” Sherrell said.

Moments later, two McKees Rocks police officers arrived.

The video Sherrell recorded shows them speaking with the woman in a friendly way, trying to help.

Emotional video shows community helping woman sitting in middle of street

“At that moment, it wasn’t about policing or being a citizen, it was about her. We came together for her,” Sherrell said.

A few minutes later, she walked back to the sidewalk.

Sherrell posted the video on his Facebook page and it has already been shared more than 240 times.

He hopes it serves as a reminder of the importance of mental health and taking time to help those in need.

Sherrell and Medley said they’ve checked on the woman several times to see how she’s doing. They hope that communication will continue and a friendship will grow as well.

Mental Health Resources

If you, someone in your family or someone you know is affected by mental illness, there are many supports, services, and treatment options available. Here’s a list of just some in our area:

• National Alliance on Mental Illness: Keystone Pennsylvania
• Allegheny County Mental Health Services
• Mercy Behavioral Health
• UPMC Behavioral and Mental Health Services
• University of Pittsburgh Mental Health Services
• AHN Mental and Behavioral Health Care Services

Cox Media Group