Hours-Long Beverly/Salem Bridge Overnight Standoff Ends Peacefully: Police

SALEM, MA — An hours-long standoff on the bridge connecting Beverly and Salem ended peacefully early Thursday morning when negotiators convinced the man to step away from the edge of the bridge and to be taken to the hospital.

Salem police said Salem and Beverly emergency crews responded to the bridge for someone apparently threatening to jump at about 3 a.m.

Traffic was diverted over the bridge, and the Salem Harbormaster set up a water rescue operation in the event that the person jumped.

Salem Sgt. Kevin McDonnell spent over an hour talking with the man, supported by Officers Sam Desmarais and Ryan Tierney. Police said negotiators from NEMLEC also responded to the scene and relieved Sgt. McDonnell, continuing the dialogue until the man agreed to leave the bridge at about 6 a.m.

A Salem police mental health clinician will assist the victim and his family with available resources and counseling.

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Calls are routed to the nearest crisis center in a national network, where callers receive crisis counseling and mental health referrals.