Simmesport Patrolmen Jordan Barton (left) and Cory Mixon (right) help a 50-year-old man back onto the safety of the Simmesport Bridge over the Atchafalaya River Tuesday afternoon (May 25). The Oakdale man said he had no reason to live. Numerous citizens spotted the potential tragedy unfolding and alerted authorities, who were able to talk the man out of ending his life. {Photo by Andrew Adams}
Simmesport police prevent man from jumping off bridge
A man who said he lost his family in a car accident and had no reason left to live was talked out of jumping from the Simmesport Bridge due to the efforts of Simmesport police and numerous concerned citizens, Police Chief Daniel Firmin said.
The 50-year-old Oakdale man was seen by passersby as he climbed over the railing of the high bridge over the Atchafalaya River. The drama began shortly after 12:30 p.m. and lasted about 20 minutes.
"I want to thank all of the people who chose to get involved and assisted us in saving a life today," Firmin said. "We had numerous calls from people alerting us to the situation. There were people with boats in the water under the bridge, ready to help. One boater was in contact with our police officers by phone, giving us the location of the man so we knew where he was. From where he was, we could not see him from the bridge side."
Patrolmen Jordan Barton and Cory Mixon located the would-be jumper and talked him out of ending his life.
"They were able to bring him back over the railing and remained with him until the ambulance arrived to take him to Avoyelles Hospital for evaluation," Firmin said.