two colleagues save the life of a schoolgirl who threw herself into the Seine

Humble and discreet. There is no question for the two rescuers to arrogate to themselves an ounce of honor and to be considered heroes. So much so that Michaël refuses to testify openly.

However, the latter and his friend Jonathan Majchrzak, both departmental agents of the Roads Directorate based in Vernon, in Eure, performed an act of bravery. They saved the life of a 14-year-old schoolgirl on Tuesday January 7, 2025, who had thrown herself into the Seine from the Clemenceau Bridge at the end of the morning.

An act of bravery

“We acted instinctively,” admits Michaël. “We didn't think for a single second when we realized that a person was in the Seine », adds Jonathan, who will celebrate his 40th birthday next April.

On the way back to the depot at lunchtime, Jonathan and Michaël travel on the Clemenceau bridge in Vernon. The two men find a bag on the ground. They wonder. “We wondered what he was doing there. » They then headed towards the Jacques-Chirac quay and it was there that they saw in the distance a round shape on the surface of the water.

“We quickly understood that it was a young girl who had jumped from the bridge.”

The two colleagues undress on the banks of the Seine, ending up in t-shirts and boxers. The water is around 6 degrees. No hesitation for the two Department agents.

Best swimmer, Michaël dives first. Jonathan follows him, but left behind, he decides to return to the shore and then go back into the water. “I was able to recover the young girl and my colleague who was out of breath. I was able to pull them over the edge. It all happened in just five minutes,” Jonathan explains.

Once brought to safety, the young girl was quickly taken care of by firefighters. “She was paralyzed, she was afraid, she couldn’t get a word out,” Jonathan remembers.

“We are fathers ourselves. We did this for the young girl, without hesitation. »

Although they do not consider themselves heroes, the two rescuers still had the honors of a representative of the SDIS de l'Eure (Departmental Fire and Rescue Service).

Fathers

Thus, Captain Florian Pico, head of the Operational Preparation and RETEX (feedback) department, praised the calm and action of the two rescuers.

“They first analyzed the situation very well, they headed downstream and then, without putting themselves in danger, they were able to rescue this person and save his life,” said the professional firefighter by recalling the action to be taken in this type of situation: “Protect, alert, rescue”. In addition, the captain presented the two rescuers with the department's fire department badge. “A gesture that touches us enormously,” confide Jonathan and Michaël.

“They saved our daughter’s life, our life. We will never be grateful enough,” conclude the schoolgirl’s parents.

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