Apparent Suicide off Newburgh-Beacon Bridge

On July 7, at about 11:45AM, Dutchess County 911 received multiple calls regarding a man who had jumped off the Dutchess County side of the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge.

New York State troopers from Dutchess and Orange counties, the State Police Aviation and Marine units, state police scuba divers, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Marine Unit and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police responded to the incident scene along with rescue boats from the City of Beacon, City of Newburgh, Hughsonville and New Hamburg fire departments.

According to witness interviews and video surveillance on the bridge, a 21-year-old man from Beacon had climbed over the rail on the walkway on the south side of the span, adjacent to lanes of Interstate 84 eastbound. He then fell into the Hudson River.

Police and fire units were on and above the Hudson River within minutes but were unable to initially locate him.

Less than five hours later, at about 4:30PM, the State Police Marine Unit located the body of the 21-year-old under the surface of the river south of the bridge. Police scuba divers then entered the river and retrieved it. The body was transported to Long Dock Park in the City of Beacon and turned over to the Dutchess County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The investigation into the apparent suicide remains open. The identity of the dead man is being withheld by State Police at this time at the request of his family.

PHOTO/www.nysba.state.ny.us