State Trooper Rescues Man From Jumping Off Overpass In Union Co.

UNION COUNTY, NJ — A New Jersey State Trooper rescued a suicidal man from attempting to jump off an overpass in Union County last week, according to a recent social media post.

NJ State Police said on March 2, at 6:31 p.m., Trooper Luckenson Noel found the man sitting on a guardrail at the Ramsey Avenue overpass on Route 78 in Hillside. After talking to the man, Noel was able to help him off the ledge.

According to police, the man was in a state of emotional distress and was contemplating taking his own life. Noel began talking to man, attempting to build trust and calm in the situation.

"Let's talk about it, okay?" Noel said in a video posted by NJ State Police to Facebook. "I'm sorry. Whatever you're going through, I'm sorry."

Noel also shared some of his own life story and assured the man that he had a lot to live for. When the man said his mother had passed away, Noel said he had also lost his mother.

"I was 23 years old when I lost my mom," Noel said. "Your father, he's all you have. And you are all that you have."

Watch the video on Facebook to view more of their conversation.

Listening, the man agreed with Noel and was helped off of the guardrail. With the assistance of EMS and the Hillside Police Department, he was sent to an area hospital for further treatment.

NJ State Police urges anyone experiencing a crisis that seems too much to bear to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or go to www.suicidepeventionlifeline.org.