Police Officer Tackles Suicidal Girl On George Washington Bridge

FORT LEE, N.J. — A Port Authority police officer tackled a suicidal girl running toward the outer railing of the George Washington Bridge Wednesday, authorities said.

Officer Theresa Jeffrey spotted the crying girl on the bridge's upper level while returning from transporting a prisoner, said Port Authority spokesman Joe Pentangelo.

Jeffrey stopped and spoke to the Pennsylvania girl, who told Jeffrey that she “wanted to die," Pentangelo said. The girl then ran and climbed over a barrier toward the railing; Jeffrey ran toward the girl and tackled her. Pentangelo said.

Sgt. Michael Barry arrived on the scene and helped get the girl into an ambulance; she was taken to Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck, Pentangelo said. Her car was found in Manhattan.

There have been eight confirmed suicides from the George Washington Bridge this year, Pentangelo said. Police have intervened on 47 suicide attempts from the bridge in that same time.

Send local news tips, photos and press releases to daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Patch file photo