Newport Officer Talks Man Out of Jumping from Pell Bridge

NEWPORT, RI — Newport Sgt. Gregory Belcher talked a despondent 46-year-old Newport man out of jumping off the Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge on Monday as both sat on the top of one of the tall bridge's towers.

Police said officers were dispatched to the Pell Bridge for a report of man climbing an outside cable at around 8:02 a.m. Once on scene, Officer Ian McGregor was able to reach the man on a cell phone and "develop some rapport" with the despondent man, said Newport Sgt. Corey Huck.

As the Rhode Island State Police arrived at the scene, it was decided that Belcher would be the person to climb the tower and talk to the man who sat with his feet hanging over the edge.

Belcher, with the help of Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority officials who gave him access, climbed up and "was able to begin a short dialog to gain the trust of the despondent male party," Huck said.

After a few minutes, the man was coaxed back down to safety and brought to Newport Hospital for an evaluation.

"The Newport Police applauds the efforts of all parties responsible for bringing this matter to a safe resolution," Huck said.