KEW GARDENS —Three prosecutors from the Queens District Attorney's office saved a man who tried hanging himself outside of court last week, officials said.
Assistant DA Andrea Mauro saw the man, who was not identified, in the process of tying a rope to a tree in front of Queens Borough Hall around 1 p.m. on Friday, according to the DA's office.
She and two other ADAs — Jason Trager and Gabriel Mendoza — grabbed the man as the rope tightened around his neck, the DA's office said.
As Mauro untied the rope from the tree, Mendoza took it off the man's neck, officials said.
The victim collapsed on the ground, crying and grasping for air, Trager said.
"It was very sad and shocking," he said.
He was taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation and treatment, officials said.
Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said he was "extremely proud" of the actions of his prosecutors.
"The assistant district attorneys in this office do a tremendous job each day of seeking justice for victims of crimes, but these three prosecutors went above and beyond the call of duty by stepping in to save a man who was obviously distraught and in desperate need," he said in a statement.
