Despite Air And Water Search, Bridge Jumper Not Located
Massachusetts State Police and several agencies launched a search of the Cape Cod Canal last Friday afternoon after reports of an individual having potentially jumped off the Sagamore Bridge, to no avail.
A helicopter and dive team were dispatched to the area surrounding the Sagamore Bridge just before noon last Friday, November 8. First responders, including the US Coast Guard, searched the areas between the Sagamore Bridge and Cape Cod Bay by air and water since reports came in mid-morning of a possible jumper.
In a statement released last Friday evening, Bourne Police confirmed that officers from the department, along with State Police and Bourne Fire Department, responded to the area of the Sagamore Bridge “for a report of a party who may have jumped from the bridge.”
First responders began a search of the land and water surrounding the bridge, but were unable to locate anyone, the statement said.
“The investigation tragically revealed that a subject had jumped from the bridge and ended up in the waterway,” the police said.
Just before 4:30 PM last Friday, Tim McGuirk, State Police interim director of media relations, confirmed that search efforts had been ongoing with the help of several agencies, but crews have not yet located the individual. Additional details were not immediately available.
Bourne Police and Fire Rescue Departments were dispatched to the scene to assist the State Police, along with responders from Sandwich and Wareham. Additional marine resources from Bourne’s Department of Natural Resources, the Sandwich Fire Department, US Army Corps of Engineers and the US Coast Guard were brought to the area to search for the missing individual, police said.
The ongoing investigation is being handled by the Massachusetts State Police.
“As the holiday season approaches, or anytime at all,” the department’s statement continued, we want to remind people that resources are there for you so tragedies like this can be averted.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis or struggling with mental health, there are resources available that can help:
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255), y en español 1-888-628-9454, or call/text 988
The Samaritans on Cape Cod and the Islands: 508-548-8900 or 800-893-9900 (available anytime)
Youth Crisis Support: START to 741-741
Veterans Crisis Line: call 988, then press 1
Bay Cove Emergency Services Crisis Line: 833-229-2683
Cape Cod Hospital Behavioral Health Crisis Team: 833-229-2683.
The Trevor Project helpline for LGBTQ+ individuals: 866-488-7386 or www.trevorproject.org (available anytime)
Crisis Text Line: (24/7 support to those in crisis via text message, online chat or WhatsApp) www.crisistextline.org or text HOME to 741741
For those who are struggling, but not actively in crisis, primary care physicians and community health centers will provide help. For those who have difficulty navigating the healthcare system, Barnstable County’s Network of Care of Health and Human Services Department can provide assistance.
In the event of an emergency, call 911 or head to the nearest emergency room.