‘Suicidal’ Man Rescued From Essex County Rooftop

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ -- Police and fire crews rescued a man who was threatening to commit suicide on Saturday afternoon in Essex County, authorities say.

According to the Newark Department of Public Safety, around 1 p.m., police responded to a residence at Ferry and Van Buren streets in Newark on reports that a man was standing on the roof threatening to commit suicide. When police arrived, they found an “incoherent” 27-year-old man yelling and threatening to jump.

Members of the Police Division’s Emergency Service Unit and Newark firefighters were able to reach the victim and safety remove him from the roof, authorities said.

A member of the Emergency Services Unit suffered minor injuries during the rescue with the victim. Both were transported to University Hospital for treatment. The officer is expected to be treated and released. The victim was transported to the crisis unit, authorities said.

Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose praised the work of the police and fighters, stating that they “worked together to safely remove the man from the building averting serious injury or possible death.”

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