Alleged Intoxicated Hospital Escapee To Face Trial

An allegedly intoxicated New Hope man who escaped from the emergency room at St. Mary Medical Center in June, prompting a 90-minute rescue effort in a nearby lake, will face trial, court records show.

Gregory Morten, 29, formerly of Lower Makefield, will face trial for disorderly conduct, public drunkenness, resisting a park ranger, alcohol in a county park and other charges in connection with the June 6 incident.

On that day, Morten was at the emergency room being treated for intoxication and trauma when he walked out in his hospital gown and jumped into Lake Luxembourg at Core Creek Park, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

The jump prompted a rescue effort that Morten made more difficult by evading those trying to help him, authorities told the Bucks County Courier Times.

At the time of his capture, Morten’s blood alcohol content level was .357, which is nearly four times the legal driving limit, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by the Courier Times.

Court records show that Morten is also facing DUI charges after being stopped by police that same day in Solebury Township.