Community Corner

Police Rescue Woman From Robert Moses Bridge

The 41-year-old woman was threatening to jump from the bridge when the officers responded and helped her back to safety.

Priscila Korb's profile picture
Priscila Korb, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
|
The officers responded to the northbound side of the bridge, over the Great South Bay, at 11:50 a.m. after a 911 caller reported a female had climbed over the railing and appeared to be preparing to jump.
The officers responded to the northbound side of the bridge, over the Great South Bay, at 11:50 a.m. after a 911 caller reported a female had climbed over the railing and appeared to be preparing to jump. (Image via Google Maps)

WEST ISLIP, NY — A Suffolk County police Marine Bureau officer and New York State Police trooper rescued a distraught woman threatening to jump from the Robert Moses Bridge on Thursday morning. Trooper Justin Puckett responded to the northbound side of the bridge, over the Great South Bay, at 11:50 a.m. after a 911 caller reported a woman climbed over the railing and appeared to be preparing to jump.

When Marine Bureau Officer John Rodriguez arrived, he started talking to the 41-year-old woman in Spanish and established a rapport with her, officials said. Rodriguez and Puckett were then able to help the woman climb back over the railing to safety.

Troopers Kenneth Bridgeford and Andrew Herman, State Parks police Officers Daniel McCarthy and Robert Farruggia, and Department of Homeland Security Senior Inspector Scott McCormick and District Commander Matthew Hempfling assisted in the rescue.

Find out what's happening in West Islipfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The woman was transported by West Islip Ambulance with an escort by two state troopers to Southside Hospital in Bay Shore for mental evaluation.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from West Islip