In a dramatic and daring act of heroism, NYPD officers scaled the Williamsburg Bridge on Sunday to rescue a distressed individual, an event captured on bodycam footage.
At approximately 5:23 p.m., members of the NYPD’s Emergency Service Unit responded to a report from 911 callers, who had observed a man threatening to jump from the top of the bridge.
Despite the stormy weather conditions, the officers successfully navigated their way to the man, who was positioned hundreds of feet above the East River. They skillfully brought him to safety on the ground, as confirmed by the NYPD.
Undeterred by the challenging rainy conditions, the officers displayed exceptional courage while suspended high above the water, as noted in an official statement by the department.
Bodycam footage reveals two officers approaching the distressed individual in a calm and reassuring manner, urging him to return with them.
“My man, talk to me,” one of the specialized officers gently implores in the released clip. “I’m here to help you, man. Talk to me. What’s your name?”
“Whatever you’re going through, it happens to all of us, man, ya know? But we gotta get you down from there,” he reassures. “But listen, we gotta do this carefully ’cause it’s raining. It’s super slippery so I care about your safety and my partner’s.”
The video, which was carefully edited to safeguard the individual’s identity and for length, concludes with the two harnessed officers guiding the man down to additional members of the Emergency Service Unit waiting below.