In the last five weeks, four people have leapt from Hudson Valley bridges — two from the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge, one from the Poughkeepsie Bridge, and most recently, a woman jumped from the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge around noon on Saturday, Sep. 20.
After witnesses of the jump called 911, state police responded and shut down part of the bridge, causing traffic to back up. Multiple amphibious units were launched, and the woman was recovered and unresponsive, with CPR being performed immediately.
Though police did not disclose whether or not the woman survived the fall, an unconfirmed source claiming to be a witness said she was pronounced dead near the Newburgh Yacht Club after attempts to resuscitate were unsuccessful. The drop from the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge is over 100 feet.
The surge in tragedies has prompted officials to consider further efforts to prevent people from jumping from Hudson Valley’s bridges. Preventative messages are already omnipresent, though adding more has been suggested. Netting or barricades have been proposed, but such options are expensive and create bridge maintenance challenges. Studies show such efforts to be successful in lowering the number of jumpers, but overall suicide rates don’t necessarily change.
Experts warn that widely publicized bridge-jumping suicides can create contagion effects. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available. In Ulster County, the 24/7 Mobile Mental Health Team can be reached at (844) 277-4820. You can also dial or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or reach out to Family of Woodstock’s hotline at (845) 338-2370 for immediate local support.
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