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Inmate injured after intentionally jumping through jail railing

LINCOLN COUNTY — A Lincoln County Detention Center inmate was seriously injured Sunday afternoon when she jumped through a second floor railing, crashing to the cement below.

According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, Crystal Hubbard, 34, was leaving the shower area when she ran for the railing and jumped through. Hubbard was transported to Carolinas Medical Center-Lincoln where she was stabilized and airlifted to CMC Main in Charlotte.

The release said Hubbard had been complaining about being sick and had thrown up earlier in the day. She was allowed to leave her cell and go to the shower section to clean up. A jail trustee was on the same floor and Hubbard waited for her to move away.

Hubbard exited the shower area and went to where her cell was located, authorities said. Hubbard then turned and dove between the second and third railings on the walkway to the cement floor below. Authorities said it was about a 20 foot drop.

Hubbard suffered possible head and internal injuries in the fall.

She was arrested Friday afternoon in connection with Operation Play 60, a round-up of suspected drug dealers.

A spokesperson for the sheriff's office said Hubbard had made no threats to harm herself prior to this incident and that this was not an escape attempt.