It took Ambridge police and several other local agencies about four hours Wednesday night to convince a would-be jumper to step down from the Aliquippa-Ambridge Bridge.
AMBRIDGE — It took borough police and several other local agencies about four hours Wednesday night to convince a would-be jumper to step down from the Aliquippa-Ambridge Bridge.
In the end, officers working to help the unnamed woman down were successful in thwarting the potential tragedy.
According to Ambridge police Lt. Brian Jameson, officers were notified at about 9:40 p.m. that a woman was near the middle of the bridge threating to jump. The woman was on the phone with a friend who was able to notify police, he said.
Jameson began “negotiating with her” as soon as they got to the bridge, but the woman remained “non-responsive.” He said they maintained communication with the woman and tried to keep her attention.
Unsure of the woman’s native language, a Spanish-speaking officer was called in to communicate with the woman. It was then determined she actually spoke English, Jameson said.
River rescue teams from Ambridge, Beaver Falls and Crescent Township were all called in and put boats into the Ohio River as a precaution. The tactical rescue team from Baden provided roped for the responding officers to protect them while on the bridge.
The Beaver County Emergency Service negotiators were called to assist, as well.
Jameson said the woman, who does not live locally, safely came down from the bridge at about 1:30 a.m. Wednesday. She was taken to a local hospital, police said.
Police are unsure what brought the woman to Ambridge, but Jameson said she was struggling with personal issues.
He called the response a “coordinated effort” with departments including Baden, Harmony Township, Aliquippa and several other agencies.
“Everything working out in the end,” Jameson said. “She was doing well last I heard.”