10:06am: Talkline with Hoppy Kercheval

Man pulled from edge of New River Gorge Bridge

FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — A 33-year-old veteran from Virginia was brought to safety by emergency personnel Monday after threatening to jump from the New River Gorge Bridge.

Fayette County Sheriff Steve Kessler said the man, who may be suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, had left the catwalk underneath the bridge at about 8:30 a.m. and was standing on one of the bridge girders at the far edge of the bridge.

Kessler said the county’s crisis negotiations team along with other first responders talked with the man for two hours before he finally agreed to allow rescue workers to approach him. The man was then brought to safety.

“Our preliminary investigation has found that he is a military veteran who may be suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder,” Sheriff Kessler said in a news release. “We will be working with the Veterans Administration to help this individual obtain the treatment that he needs.” 

The sheriff added the rescue displayed great teamwork by all involved.

“The members of the Fayette County Crisis Negotiation Team, comprised of officers from the National Park Service, the West Virginia State Police, various local police departments and the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, have been trained by the FBI to deal with situations like this.  The members of the Fayette County High-Angle Rescue Team, comprised of volunteers from the local Fayette County fire departments, are highly trained in safely extricating individuals from dangerous heights.  These volunteers are, unquestionably, the best in the state at performing this type of rescue operation,” Kessler said.

Southbound traffic on U.S. 19 was blocked for about 45-minutes during the rescue. 





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