Police officials in Newark are reporting that members of the Police Division’s Emergency Services Unit rescued a suicidal man who jumped from the Newark-Harrison Bridge this morning.
Police say at approximately 2:30 a.m., police responded to the bridge, located at Bridge Street east of McCarter Highway, and observed a man in his thirties standing on the ledge.
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The officers negotiated with the man in an attempt to keep him from taking his own life. The man disregarded the officers’ assistance and jumped into the river shortly after 5 a.m.
Police deployed the Zodiac rescue boat to reach the man, who was bobbing underwater prior to the rescue. One officer grabbed the victim’s arm, the only body part visible above the water, and held it until a second officer was able to grab the man’s submerged upper body and pull him safely into the boat.
The victim was unresponsive following the rescue but was met onshore by members of EMS who treated him before transporting him to University Hospital for further treatment and evaluation according to police.
“I commend members of the Emergency Services Unit for their commitment to saving the life of this very distraught individual,” Director Ambrose said. “I’m proud of the extraordinary steps they took to save his life.
From a lengthy negotiation process to lifting him up bodily onto the rescue boat and transporting him to EMS, the officers involved did an excellent job in preserving his life.”
Members of the Newark Fire Division, Harrison Police Department and the Kearny Fire and Police Departments also responded and assisted in the rescue.