News

UPDATE: Alexandria first responders save suicidal woman on Monroe Avenue Bridge

By James Cullum
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Updated at 1:30 p.m. Alexandria first responders saved a woman dangling off the Monroe Avenue bridge for nearly three hours on Tuesday, June 22.

Police were able to distract the woman, while below her on the ground a Fire Department tower ladder rose up, and then the woman was snatched and then safely put into the ladder bucket.

“She’s safe,” AFD Senior Public Information Officer Raytevia Evans told ALXnow.

A city resident standing below the bridge called 911 at around 10;45 a.m reporting that the woman climbed over the chain-link fence and was hanging off side of the bridge, AFD told ALXnow.

The fire department deployed airbags beneath the bridge, and EMS was also on-scene. All traffic was diverted on the roadway, which is Route 1 and bisects Old Town and Potomac Yard. Alexandria Police tweeted that the woman is suffering from a mental health crisis.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger of self-harm, call 911 or the Department of Human Services’ emergency services line at 703-746-3401. CrisisLink also has a 24-hour crisis hotline at 703-527-4077 or 800-SUICIDE, or text 703-940-0888.

Courtesy Google Maps

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.