Police Save Man 'In Crisis' Dangling From Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge

ULSTER COUNTY, NY — Police officers and bystanders found themselves faced with a man at his lowest and relied on their training and humanity to find a happy ending for someone who couldn't see past the moment to find hope.

On Friday, around 9:55 p.m., Ulster County 911 received a call about a suicidal man on the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge. At the scene, officers from the Ulster Police Department and a New York State Police trooper found that the man had climbed over the railing. He began physically resisting officers who were attempting to stop him from jumping.

The despondent man then dropped to a position where he was hanging off the bridge from the concrete barrier. Officers continued to hold onto him to prevent him from jumping.

A deputy from the Ulster County Sheriff's Office arrived on scene and provided a rope used to secure the man to the railing of the bridge.

Passing civilians also stopped to help, providing rope, and even the use of a bucket truck.

A second deputy was able to communicate with the man in Spanish, eventually convincing him to climb back over the railing with the assistance of the officers on the scene.

"This incident ultimately had a positive and successful outcome due to the heroic efforts of all officers, troopers, deputies and civilians who seamlessly assisted in the rescue efforts," the Ulster Police Department said in a statement. "Agencies assisting with this incident include; Ulster Police Department, New York State Police, Ulster County Sheriff's Office, and Kingston Police Department. Other resources were requested and standing by, but ultimately not utilized; East Kingston Fire Department with a boat, Ulster Hose Dive Team, Ulster County Sheriff's Office Dive Team, and Kingston Fire Department Rope Rescue."

The man was unharmed and taken to the Health Alliance of the Hudson Valley for a mental health evaluation.