On Saturday, May 23rd, the Beacon Police responded to a call about a man attempting to jump off the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge near Newburgh on the eastbound side, who was standing on the top wrung of the fence, overlooking the Hudson River. “Though the bridge is not patrolled by the City of Beacon Police Department,” Beacon Chief Thomas Figlia said in a press release issued later on Wednesday, May 27th, “when calls like this come in, we respond due to our proximity.”

According to the press release, the man had climbed up the pedestrian fence, and was being spoken to by a woman who was trying to help. “He was speaking to a female passerby, who stopped to try to assist him, and was stating that he wanted to kill himself.”

It was at that time that “officers acted quickly to take hold of the male and bring him down off of the fence to safety.” Town of Newburgh Officers arrived at that point, who then took the man for a mental health evaluation.

If anyone is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please call the New york State Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Bridge Jumps on the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge Happen On A Regular Basis

Scenarios like this happen on a regular basis from the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge, but do not have such an outcome. On a Saturday in September 2025, a woman jumped from the opposite side of the bridge where there is no pedestrian walkway or fence at all. After hitting the water, she was rescued alive by first responders in the water.

The Beacon Police will at times station an officer at Pete and Toshi Riverfront Park while a rescue is in motion, in case anyone is found in the water downriver.