Man Jumps from Tappan Zee, Lives; Tarrytown FD Pulls Jumper From Hudson River

A man who jumped off the mid-span of the Tappan Zee Bridge at approximately 4:00 p.m. today lived through the impact and was picked out of the Hudson River by Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow rescue units.

The man has been transported to Westchester Medical Center by the Tarrytown Volunteer Ambulance Corps with serious back injuries.

"He's in the best condition I've seen for someone jumping off a bridge," said a Greenburgh paramedic on the scene.

Fire departments from Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow, Nyack, Central Nyack, Piermont and Irvington all sent out marine units. State Police and Westchester County Police marine units also responded.

Tarrytown Fire Department's First Assistant Chief John McGee said the 29-year-old White Plains man was alive and alert – the jumper only complained of back injuries from the fall.

"The man was travelling north with the tide and (Tarrytown's) Marine 5 boat was able to catch up to the individual, along with Sleepy Hollow's marine unit," McGee said.

Sleepy Hollow Fire Department's Chief John Korzelius jumped into the water, along with two other rescuers, to secure the man who didn't appear to be paralyzed. 

"He was moving around, waiving his arms, that's how we saw him," Korzelius said. "Chances are he's a survivor."

The man didn't tell rescuers why he had jumped from the bridge. Fire officials said the man was still alive due to the quick actions of all rescue crews involved. 

"Everyone did a great job, it was a real joint effort," McGee said. 

This was the second major incident on the bridge today; earlier in the afternoon, a Maryland man was crushed to death after exiting his vehicle on the bridge's superstructure.

Check back for more information.