Five area men rescue man trying to jump from Highway 527

Published 1:30 am Saturday, August 31, 2019

BOTHELL — Five area men came together to save a man attempting to jump off Highway 527 overpass Saturday morning.

Brian Valdivia-Kovar, of Bothell, was heading to his uncle’s house when he noticed a man on the ledge of the 527 where it crosses I-405.

As the man appeared about to jump, Valdivia-Kovar said, he rushed toward him.

“I immediately reached out and bear-hugged him,” Valdivia-Kovar told The Herald. “And yanked him back my way.”

Four other men helped Valdivia-Kovar pull the man over the railing and hold him down until police arrived, Bothell police Sgt. Ethan Nguyen said.

In a tweet, Bothell police praised the five men for their bravery and courage. They also included William Bagnall, of Bothell, Liam McPherson, of Lynnwood, Gary Larkin, of Snohomish and Conner Poole, of Everett.

The 29-year old man, who was attempting to jump, was taken to Evergreen Hospital, according to Nguyen.