Breaking: Suicidal Man Talked Down From Newburgh-Beacon Bridge

Two lanes of the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge were closed for nearly 3 hours Monday night when police successfully talked a 29-year-old suicidal man out of jumping off the bridge.

Around 9:00 p.m. Monday night, Town of Newburgh Police requested assistance from the New York State Police regarding a suicidal man. According to State Police, a distraught 29-year-old had walked to the center span of the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge and was clinging to the outermost railing on the south side of the bridge, threatening to jump.

Town of Newburgh Officers and Troopers talked with the deeply upset man until members of the State Police Crisis Intervention Team responded on the scene and took over negotiations with the individual.

Police say the man was agitated over recent marriage and personal problems. After two and half hours of conversation officials were able to convince them man to step down from the ledge.

The male climbed back onto the pedestrian walkway and was taken into custody without further incident. The Town of Newburgh Police Department transported him to the Orange County Regional Medical Center for an evaluation.

The following agencies and specialized units responded to assist at the scene: Town of Newburgh Police Department, New York State Police - Troop F Uniform and BCI, Troop F Crisis Intervention Team, NYSP Special Operations Response Team, NYSP Aviation Unit, and the City of Newburgh Fire Department (Rescue Boat Division). Two lanes of the eastbound lane of the Newburgh Beacon Bridge were closed for the duration of this incident