Man Threatens To Jump From Passaic River Bridge; 1st Responders Talk Him Down

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Alert emergency responders with the Newark Police Department likely saved the life of a “suicidal” man after he threatened to leap from the Bridge Street bridge over the Passaic River on Wednesday, authorities say.

According to the Newark Police Department, officers with the Emergency Services Unit responded to the bridge around 5:30 a.m. after a caller reported a man threatening to jump.

Once on scene, emergency responders were able to successfully talk the man down from the bridge. An EMS crew then transported the man to University Hospital for evaluation, authorities said.

The Newark Fire Division dispatched a rescue boat to the scene during the incident, authorities stated.

Police temporarily closed the bridge during the rescue, which ended around 7 a.m.

“I commend the members of the Emergency Services Unit and Fire Division for their quick action and skills in preserving lives,” Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said.

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