Despondent Man Rescued From Suicide Leap By Trumbull Police

TRUMBULL, CT — A despondent 21-year-old man, who threatened to leap more than 30 feet onto Route 8 in Trumbull, was rescued from the suicide attempt by good Samaritans and Trumbull Police Officers Nicholas Van Fleet and Joseph Iucci, according to authorities.

No injuries were reported in the early Sunday incident, and the man, whose identity was not released, was taken to Bridgeport Hospital for evaluation.

The incident occurred at about 1:30 a.m. on the White Plains Road bridge above Route 8 near Broadbridge Road when Trumbull police received several calls that a man was standing on the ledge of the bridge preparing to jump.

"The twenty-one (21) year old man was very emotional and upset, but was speaking with several passing motorists who had stopped and were attempting to calm him down before emergency personnel arrived," Trumbull police wrote in a statement.

The man had climbed up the concrete wall and over the barrier fence where he was
spotted by motorists as he was leaning over the edge of the bridge.

"At one point, the man turned and stepped off of the bridge’s ledge, but the citizens and officers quickly climbed onto the railing, and grabbed a hold of him, prevented his fall, and pulled him to safety," police said. "Officer Iucci and Officer Van Fleet then held the man and restrained him until EMS arrived."

The man remained distraught as officers spoke with him and tried to calm him down before he was transported to the hospital by Trumbull EMS.

The good Samaritans and the officers are all credited with saving the man by pulling him to safety, police said.

"Trumbull Police are specifically crediting the quick actions of the passing motorists who stopped to assist this desperate man, and are planning to formally recognize them for their life-saving efforts."

The department said that "if you are in emotional distress, in suicidal crisis, or if you believe that someone else is in danger of suicide, contact your local emergency services for immediate help."

Trumbull police can be reached at 203-261-3665, or via 911 for all emergencies.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 800-273-8255.