Easley, SC – A young Easley police officer sacrificed himself to save the life of a citizen in crisis who was trying to commit suicide by train on Wednesday morning.

The incident began at approximately 5 a.m. on Aug. 2, when the Easley Police Department (EPD) received a 911 call about a person who was experiencing a mental health crisis, the EPD said in a press release later that day.

Officers responded to the area and located the individual on the railroad tracks near the 2000-block of East Main Street about an hour after the call came in.

“While attempting to remove the person from the tracks, Officer Matthew Hare was struck by the train,” the EPD said. “Tragically, Officer Hare did not survive.”

Officer Hare succumbed to his injuries at the scene, WHNS reported.

A second officer and the person who was rescued from the tracks were not injured.

The train involved in the fatal incident was an Amtrack passenger train enroute to New Orleans from Greenville, The State reported.

No other details were immediately released.

He was just 22. @EasleyPD Officer Matthew Hare died saving woman who was on tracks threatening suicide this AM. He was hit by Amtrak train. What happened on tracks is still being investigated. You could hear the heartbreak in officer’s voice as she read name of officer Hare. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/EPhO1KUiSp

— Cody Alcorn (@CodyAlcorn) August 2, 2023

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SCLED) is handling the ongoing investigation at the request of the EPD.

Officer Hare, 22, was a graduate of Easley High School who completed the police academy just five months ago, WYFF reported.

“This is a tragic day for our officer’s family, the Easley Police Department, the City of Easley, and the State of South Carolina,” the EPD said.

A memorial is growing outside @EasleyPD (SC) where Officer Matthew Hare's SUV is parked. He was hit by an Amtrak train, as he was trying to get a woman off the tracks who was suffering a mental health crisis. He died a true HERO, saving the woman. pic.twitter.com/E0FESrR143

— Cody Alcorn (@CodyAlcorn) August 2, 2023

“Officer Hare died saving the life of someone he did not know. He was called to protect and serve and that is exactly what he did every day. He is a HERO,” his department said. “This loss is incredibly difficult for The Easley Police Department and our community…Please keep this officer’s family and the Easley Police Department in your thoughts and prayers.”

A fundraising page established to help Officer Hare’s family in the wake of their loss has raised more than $24,000 at publication time.