Crime & Safety

Woman Pulled From Water After Reported Jump Off Mount Hope Bridge

Portsmouth, Bristol police, first responders got her out of the water about a quarter mile east of the bridge, where she appeared to be treading water.

A woman who reportedly jumped from the east side of the Mount Hope Bridge late Thursday morning, Jan. 23, was rescued around 11:45 am after she was spotted on the surface of the water. Her condition is unknown, according to the Portsmouth Times.

The woman parked her sedan near the center of the bridge and then climbed over the side to jump, according to witnesses. The first responders said she appeared to be trying to tread water as the current carried her east toward Fall River.

The first call to police came around 11:30 am. The caller said a woman was sitting in a car near the top of the bridge with its emergency flashers activated.

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Portsmouth police and first responders spotted her in the water about 11:23 am. The Bristol harbormaster’s boat got to the woman at 11:38 am about a quarter mile east of the bridge. Portsmouth and Bristol marine units arrived a few minutes later. Together, they pulled the woman onto the Portsmouth boat. 

The woman was conscious and taken to the shoreline in Bristol, where a Bristol ambulance took her to Rhode Island Hospital. The woman’s identity was unknown. 

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Traffic on the bridge was slowed for about 30 minutes.


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