Police saved a man from jumping nearly 700 feet off the Verrazano–Narrows Bridge into the waters below on Aug. 2.
A passerby called 911 after watching the 28-year-old get out of his car and climb over the railing on the Bay Ridge-to-Staten Island span at about 8:30 am, according to authorities.
Police choppers and boats circled above and waited in the harbor below while emergency responders talked with the emotionally disturbed man for nearly six hours as he hung from the railing on the bridge’s ledge, officials said.
The man eventually agreed to step onto the roadway and emergency responders transported him to Richmond University Medical Center for evaluation, according to authorities. Police took him into custody but did not arrest him, officials said.
If someone you know exhibits warning signs of suicide, do not leave the person alone; remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs, or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt; call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273–8255; and take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional.