Kansas police officers save suicidal man from jumping off bridge in Park City

Two police officers in a Kansas town saved a suicidal man from serious injury or death, officials said.

The Park City Police Department said Wednesday in a Facebook post that officers Gary Palmer and Jordan Whitfield saved the man from jumping off a bridge.

The officers were called at around 8:15 p.m. Saturday to a check welfare call near 61st Street and Broadway. They found a 45-year-old man on the 61st Street bridge over Chisholm Creek.

“The officers walked over to the man, and as they got closer, the man put one of his legs over the railing, and then the other,” Park City police said in the post. “Officers told the man to stop, and when he turned away briefly, Officer Palmer lunged forward and grabbed the man before he could jump.

“Officer Palmer wrapped both arms around the man, and Officer Whitfield grabbed Officer Palmer and the man. They pulled the man back over the railing and placed him on the ground, as it appeared the man was having a medical condition.”

The cops called for EMS, and paramedics took the man to a Wichita hospital for treatment and observation.

Anyone experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm — or has a friend or loved one who is — should reach out to someone, Wichita police have said. Available resources include calling 911, the Comcare Community Crisis Center at 316-660-7500 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.