Police same man from committing suicide following crash on I-95 bridge

Preliminary investigation indicates the man was experiencing a mental health crisis and had been driving to jump off the bridge (Courtesy photo)

KITTERY - A suicidal man was safely removed from the Interstate 95 bridge connecting Kittery with Portsmouth N.H., just moments after he crashed into another vehicle in the southbound lanes.

The incident unfolded Friday morning around 9:10 when police responded to a two-vehicle crash on I-95 southbound near mile marker 3 on the high-level Piscataqua River Bridge. Several minutes later they got a report from a motorist reporting a man who appeared to be attempting to jump from the bridge.

Maine State Police, along with Kittery and Portsmouth Police responded to the scene, where Kittery Police officers had made contact with the individual and were able to take him safely into custody for a mental health evaluation.

Preliminary investigation indicates the man was experiencing a mental health crisis and had been driving to jump off the bridge when he was involved in the earlier crash, according to a Friday press release.

Traffic on the bridge was impacted for about 30 minutes while officers negotiated with the individual and vehicles were removed. Both vehicles involved in the earlier crash sustained minor damage, and no injuries were reported.

There have been three suicides from people jumping from the 135-foot span in the last five weeks.