Man Jumped From Cliff Walk, Police Say

NEWPORT, RI -- The man, rescued yesterday from the rocks below the Cliff Walk, told firefighters he "jumped from the overlook on his own and had not fallen," police said today.

The 57-year-old man is from Medfield, Mass. His condition is not known. He was flown by Med-Flight helicopter to Rhode Island Hospital.

The fire department sent a ladder truck, a rescue, two engines, a command car and the chief's car to the scene after receiving multiple 9-1-1 calls about the emergency.

Initially, two firefighters made their way down to the patient and started to administer medical treatment. Later, three more and police went down 60 feet to move him to a stretcher and secure him for a vertical lift up.

Fire Chief Peter Connerton said this morning it was an heroic rescue, which took about one hour.

The patient went off the Cliff Walk about 40 feet North of Webster Street, police said. He was "partially submerged in the water."

"Thanks to a quick response by the Newport Fire Department along with members of the Newport Police Department as well as Salve Security a tragedy was averted," said Sgt. Corey Huck, police spokesman.