Police officer, good Samaritans rescue woman on bridge

A police officer and group of good Samaritans successfully rescued a woman from falling off a southside bridge Tuesday night.

Thunder Bay Police Service officers with the Primary Response Branch were dispatched to the James Street Bridge at about 10 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18 following reports of a woman hanging off the guardrail of the bridge.

Firefighters with Thunder Bay Fire Rescue and Paramedics with Superior North EMS were also dispatched to the scene.

When the first officer arrived -- Cst. Evan HAYWOOD -- he noticed a group of civilians huddled around an area of the bridge. The civilians had their arms through the guardrail and were holding onto the female, which was preventing her from falling into the cold river below.

It became apparent the woman was suffering from a mental health crisis and was attempting to harm herself.

Cst. HAYWOOD hopped over the guardrail, putting his own safety in danger, to get better leverage and bring the woman back to safety. With help from the involved civilians, the officer was able to get her back onto the bridge.

Superior North EMS paramedics were able to tend to the woman and transport her to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre for further evaluation.

The Thunder Bay Police Service would like to thank the members of the public who put their own safety at risk to help rescue someone who was a stranger to them.