Dramatic new bodycam footage captured the moment heroic NYPD cops plucked a distraught woman off steel cables high above the Brooklyn Bridge, saving her from sure death.
“I just wanna talk,” one cop is heard telling the woman after she climbed high atop the East River span shortly before 7:40 p.m. on Wednesday. “What’s happening today?
“I wanna help you, that’s why I’m up here right now,” the officer said. “I genuinely care, I do. It’s a permanent solution to a temporary problem, it really is. I don’t know what you’re going through but I want to understand. We have services we can get you to.”
The scene unfolded high above the roadway, as New York’s Finest approach the woman as her feet dangled over the edge of the steel cable, the newly released footage shows.
“The strongest thing you can do right now is accept help, I promise you,” the unidentified cop tells the woman. “That’s the strongest thing you can do.”
The woman, who sources said has a history of mental health issues, remained on the span for more than an hour as cops tried to talk her down, the video shows.
Finally, the officers were able to get close enough for one cop to grab her and hold her in a bear hug.
“Don’t do it. Don’t do it, please. please, please,” he said. “I got you. You’re okay, I promise. I got you, I promise. Everything’s gonna be ok. You’re not in trouble.”
Police said the woman, who was not identified, was taken to a local hospital for observation.
Eastbound lanes of the bridge heading toward Brooklyn were reopened by around 10 p.m. on Wednesday after being closed due to the stunt, cops said.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
