Portsmouth Officer Prevents Woman from Jumping off Mt. Hope Bridge

A Portsmouth police officer grabbed on to a woman who was leaning over the side of the Mt. Hope Bridge on Saturday afternoon, ending a potential suicide attempt.

Police said Officer David Powers responded to the bridge at 3:35 p.m. and saw the woman, 25, near the center span standing on the railing and “leaning over the side of the bridge,” said Portsmouth Police Dep. Chief Major Brian P. Peters.

“After speaking with the [woman] for several minutes, Officer Powers learned that she was distraught and wanted to end her life,” Peters said. “At that point, [he] was able to restrain the female to prevent her from jumping.”

The woman was then transported to Newport Hospital for evaluation.