A man attempting to jump from a bridge in Northern California on Monday was rescued when a sheriff’s deputy grasped his arm as he dangled 150 feet above a lake.
“The Tuolomne County Sheriff’s Office received a report shortly after midnight that a man had threatened to jump off a local bridge, prompting repeated checks by several agencies of two bridges in the Sierra Nevada area,” the Associated Press (AP) reported.
Just after 3:00 a.m., the man’s car was located near the Parrotts Ferry bridge, but when officials checked the area, they were unable to find him, the sheriff’s office said in a Facebook post.
“At 7am, our Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team, deputies, boat patrol deputies and deputies from Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office began another search of the area,” the post read:
A life saved by heroic actions. This morning, just after midnight, our office received a tip of a male who was…
Posted by Tuolumne County Sheriff on Monday, February 8, 2021
The man was eventually located on the Parrotts Ferry bridge around 10:00 a.m., and Corporal Long negotiated with him for about ten minutes.
However, when the individual tried to jump from the bridge into the water below, Long grabbed hold of him through the railing.
“Corporal Long was able to hold the man as he dangled for approximately 30 seconds. Calaveras County Deputy Markovitz came over and helped,” the department said.
Together, Long, Markovitz, and members of the TCSO’s Search and Rescue Team pulled the individual over the railing to safety.
He was then transported to a local hospital for evaluation but was not hurt during the incident.
“We want to thank all of our allied agencies and the heroic work of all law enforcement personnel today. Your bravery, dedication and persistence saved a life,” the sheriff’s office said.
Facebook users also praised their efforts and expressed concern for the man’s well-being.
“That’s an amazing save!! Thank you officers, for persevering!” one person wrote.
“Great Job of protecting and serving. Thank you all who help out in finding and saving this man his cry for help was heard,” another commented.
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