Man Survives Suicide Attempt In Passaic River, Police Say

NEWARK, NJ — Police talked to the man for hours, trying to convince him not to jump into the icy waters of the Passaic River from a ledge on the Jackson Street Bridge in Newark.

They weren’t successful.

But due to the quick action and compassion of a network of emergency responders, a distraught man will get another chance at life after surviving a suicide attempt on a freezing February morning, authorities said.

According to the Newark Department of Public Safety, police officers first arrived at the bridge around 2:30 a.m. on Feb. 6 to find a person standing on a ledge overlooking the river. Police spent hours attempting to negotiate with the “very distraught” man, who was threatening to take his own life.

Despite their best efforts, the man jumped shortly after 5 a.m., authorities said.

At that point, police and fire units that had been waiting nearby leaped into action, roaring to the man’s aid in their boats as he bobbed up and down in the freezing-cold river, flailing his arms and visibly struggling to keep his head above water. One cop grabbed the man’s arm – the only body part that was visible – and held it until a second officer was able to grab his submerged upper body and pull the man safely into their boat.

Once rescuers had the “unresponsive” man safely onshore, EMS responders treated him on scene and transported him to nearby University Hospital in Newark for additional treatment and evaluation, authorities said.

Members of the Newark Fire Division, Harrison Police Department and the Kearny Fire and Police Departments responded to the scene and assisted in the rescue.

“I commend members of the Emergency Services Unit for their commitment to saving the life of this very distraught individual,” Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said. “I’m proud of the extraordinary steps they took to save his life. From a lengthy negotiation process to lifting him up bodily onto the rescue boat and transporting him to EMS, the officers involved did an excellent job in preserving his life.”

New Jersey residents experiencing suicidal thoughts can find support at the below resources:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 800-273-TALK (8255)
• Tlc4teens.org: A website created by the Traumatic Loss Coalitions for Youth, which includes organizations, hotlines and relevant articles that have been vetted by TLC
• Call or text 2NDFLOOR — a confidential and anonymous helpline for New Jersey youth and young adults, ages 10 to 24, at 888-222-2228. It is staffed 24 hours a day.
• NJ Hopeline: 855-NJ-HOPELINE at 855-654-6735

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