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SALT LAKE CITY — Two officers with the Utah Department of Public Safety saved a man Wednesday evening from potentially jumping onto I-80.
UHP Sgt. Jacob Cox said he got a call from dispatch about a man that appeared to be sitting on the edge of the bridge over I-80 at 5600 West. Agent Scott Nesbitt, with the State Bureau of Investigation, happened to be in the area and joined Cox in trying to help the man.
As the two officers approached the man, Cox called out to him and asked if there was anything he could do to help. Cox said the man told him, “Don’t touch me.”
The sergeant told KSL News he said a quick prayer and tried to talk the man away from the ledge. When nothing else worked, Cox signaled to Nesbitt to grab the man on the count of three. After some struggle, the two officers were able to pull the man away from the edge of the bridge.
“I told him even though it seemed dark and bleak right then, that life would get better,” Cox said.
The man was taken to a hospital for evaluation, the sergeant said.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, KSL encourages you to call the suicide prevention hotline at 1-800-273-TALK.
Crisis Hotlines
- Utah County Crisis Line: 801-226- 4433
- Salt Lake County/UNI Crisis Line: 801-587-3000
- Wasatch Mental Health Crisis Line: 801-373- 7393
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK
- Trevor Project Hotline for LGBTQ teens: 1- 866-488-7386
Online resources
- NAMI Utah: nam iut.org
- Utah Chapter-American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: afsputah.com
- Suicide Prevention Lifeline: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Email: ddewey@ksl.com
