ME Crews Rescue Woman after Bridge Jump

Dec. 6, 2018

Video shows Brunswick firefighters rescuing a woman who apparently jumped from the Frank J. Wood Bridge into the Androscoggin River.

By Beth Brogan

Source Bangor Daily News, Maine

Brunswick and Topsham firefighters pulled a 54-year-old woman from the Androscoggin River on Wednesday after she jumped off a bridge.

BRUNSWICK, ME -- A 54-year-old Brunswick woman who apparently jumped from the Frank J. Wood Bridge into the Androscoggin River just after noon Wednesday was rescued, conscious, by Brunswick firefighters.

Deputy Fire Chief Donald Koslosky said that when he arrived shortly afterward, bystanders showed him the blue down jacket the woman was wearing floating in the river near the Sea Dog Brewing restaurant.

“You could see she was staying afloat by her down jacket,” he said.

Brunswick and Topsham police, along with Koslosky, prepared to deploy float ropes to attempt to reach the woman, but Koslosky said she was too far from shore.

Topsham police Chief Chris Lewis waded into the river to his waist trying to reach her, but was unsuccessful, Brunswick police Cmdr. Mark Waltz said.

Brunswick and Topsham launched fire boats from the Water Street boat ramp and headed up the river toward the woman, and Brunswick firefighters scooped her from the water, Koslosky said. He said she was conscious when she was rescued.

The woman was taken by Brunswick Rescue to Mid Coast Hospital. Waltz said her injuries were not life-threatening.

Koslosky said the water temperature at the time was 32 degrees Fahrenheit.