STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. (PIX11) --- Two people have jumped off the Bayonne Bridge this week, months after construction began on suicide prevention fencing on the span, according to officials.
A man driving from New Jersey to Staten Island stopped midway on the Bayonne Bridge, got out of the car, and lept off the side at around 12:30 p.m. Sunday, according to the Port Authority and NYPD. The man's body was not recovered during the search.
The following day, another driver heading to Staten Island pulled over and jumped off the span at around 4 a.m., officials said. Authorities pulled the driver out of the water and rushed them to the hospital, where the person died.
Four people have jumped off the Bayonne Bridge this year, and one of them survived, according to a source.
In mid-June, the Port Authority began installing a 9-foot chainlink and barbed wire fence on the westbound side of the Bayonne Bridge. Construction on the $3 million project is expected to be completed this month, according to a Port Authority spokesperson.
“At the request of the community of Bayonne, we are installing a safety fence at the Bayonne Bridge to protect the health and safety of the public, which includes suicide prevention,” said Seth Stein, PANYNJ spokesperson.
In addition to the fencing, PAPD personnel is trained to notice any unusual behavior on the Goethals and Bayonne Bridges’ walkways. There are also cameras and phones.
It was unclear if and when officers are stationed at the spans.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. It is a free, 24/7 service that offers support, information, and local resources. You can also click here for additional hotlines within your state.
Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the NYC area for more than a decade. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here.
