Salem Police Prevent Man From Jumping Off I-93 Bridge

SALEM, NH — Members of the Salem Police Department are being credited with keeping a man from taking his own life last night on an I-93 bridge, according to police. At just after 11:30 p.m., police received a report that there was a man reportedly threatening to jump off an I-93/Pelham Road bridge. The 24-year-old man’s mother made the call to police, according to Sgt. Chad Clark of the Salem Police Department.

A sergeant and several officers were able to tag the man’s cellphone and found his exact location on the bridge. The sergeant noted that the man was distraught and sitting on the bridge abutment. His feet hanging off the wall above the highway, Clark noted.

“(The sergeant) began speaking with him, however, the subject was unresponsive to any questions or attempts to engage him in dialogue,” Clark alleged. “Fearing he was preparing to jump, (the) sergeant approached the subject from behind and pulled him backward off the bridge. He then held him to the ground until he could be assisted by other officers.”

Officers shutdown Pelham Road while state police shut down the right northbound lanes of I-93 during the incident.

The man was highly emotional and combative throughout the entire incident, Clark stated. The man was transported to the Parkland Medical Center by Salem Fire and Rescue teams for evaluation.

A free, 24/7 confidential service is available that can provide people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, or those around them, with support, information, and local resources. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255).