At approximately 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, the Newark Public Safety Director received a call regarding a man threatening to jump from the Fabyan Bridge onto I-78. Located between Lyons Avenue and Exit 55, the bridge spans over I-78. Upon arrival, police found the man perched on the edge of the bridge, threatening to leap.
In an attempt to prevent a tragedy, authorities halted traffic in both directions on I-78 underneath the bridge. Meanwhile, they deployed an inflatable airbag on the highway below as a precautionary measure. Police engaged with the man in an effort to de-escalate the situation and persuade him to reconsider his intentions. However, despite their efforts, the man remained resolute.
In a harrowing turn of events, the man plunged from the bridge as horrified motorists looked on. Miraculously, he missed the inflatable airbag and landed on the unforgiving asphalt below. Despite the severity of the fall, he somehow managed to survive and was conscious and alert, as reported by Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé.
Emergency responders swiftly transported the man to University Hospital for further evaluation and treatment. Approximately three hours later, at 7 p.m., State Police reopened I-78 to traffic, allowing the flow of vehicles to resume.
