Portland police unable to stop man from jumping off bridge

PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland police say a man killed himself in front of officers on the Steel Bridge.

According to Sgt. Pete Simpson, officers went to the bridge Thursday morning after a caller reported that a man was tying a rope to the bridge while appearing to swallow pills and drink whiskey.

As officers arrived to speak with him, the man put a rope around his neck and jumped. The rope broke and the man went into the Willamette River.

Firefighters retrieved the man, but could not resuscitate him.

Simpson says the man appears to be in his 40s, but has yet to be identified.

The Oregon State Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy.

The Multnomah County mental health crisis line is available 24 hours a day at (503) 988-4888.

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