Metra Police Save Man From Jumping Off 127th Street Bridge

BLUE ISLAND, IL — Metra police are being credited with preventing a despondent man from jumping off the 127th Street bridge in Blue Island. This is the second time in two years that Metra police have intervened as someone threatened to take their own life by jumping off the same bridge.

Around 3 p.m. Saturday, Metra police found a 24-year-old man standing on the railing of the 127th Street bridge. An officer can be heard on a bodycam video provided by Metra saying to him: “Nobody looks at you like you’re a good person? You are a good person.”

As the officer engages the man standing precariously on the railing in conversation, another Metra officer grabs him from behind and pulls him to safety. The officer who pulled the man down starts reassuring the man. A third officer rubs his back.

“Bro, none of us is perfect,” the officer says.

After the encounter, the man hugged the officers and thanked them. He was transported by the Blue Island Fire Department to a nearby hospital for treatment.

“Thanks to the efforts of these officers, this individual is getting the help he needs, and another family isn’t forced to cope with tragedy,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Jim Derwinskii in a news release. “It’s another fine example of the extreme professionalism of the Metra Police Department, and of Metra's commitment to being there for our passengers, employees, and anyone who interacts with our rail system.”

Metra Police and train crews receive crisis management and intervention training. Through mid-October of this year alone, Metra employees have prevented 85 people across the Chicago region from harming themselves, the rail company said. A video of the incident is available on the Metra website.

If you or someone you know needs support, reach out to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can or text to chat. The 988 Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24/7. Just dial 988 or go to the 988lifeline.org website to be connected to resources.