Police Catch Man Jumping from Cedar River Bridge

By Jeff Raasch

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By Richard Pratt

Story Created: Mar 19, 2010 at 7:15 AM CST

Story Updated: Mar 19, 2010 at 12:16 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS — Police officers grabbed a man as he tried to commit suicide by jumping into the Cedar River on Wednesday.

Officers went to the First Avenue Bridge around 5:28 p.m. after a woman passing by asked them to check on the welfare of a man. They found a 55-year-old male on the outside edge of the bridge, with a bungee cord securing him to the railing, police said.

Sgt. Steve Keiller was the first on the scene and started talking to the man. Sgt. Dan Jabens and Officer Andrew Tran arrived shortly. They talked to the man for about eight minutes when he tried to let go of the railing, according to the police report.

“Just as he was letting go of the railing, our officers grabbed him and were able to keep him from going into the river,” said Sgt. Cristy Hamblin, a police spokeswoman.

The man, whose name was not released, was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital to be evaluated.

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