Police save man from jumping from Cedar Rapids bridge

Police officers grabbed a man as he tried to commit suicide by jumping into the Cedar River in downtown Cedar Rapids on Wednesday.

Officers went to the First Avenue Bridge around 5:28 p.m. after a 911 caller asked them to check on the welfare of a man. They found a 55-year-old male on the edge of the bridge, with a bungee cord securing him to the railing, police said.

Sgt. Steve Keiller and Sgt. Dan Jabens 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 for evaluation.