GROTON, CT — A man in crisis was rescued from the Gold Star Bridge after Groton police officers talked him down from the security barrier.
At approximately 4:48 p.m. May 3, the Groton Emergency Communications Center received a radio call from Groton Ambulance personnel who were crossing the Gold Star Bridge.
The ambulance personnel reported that a man had one leg over the top of the bridge’s security barrier.
Groton Police Officers Bryan Albee and Cristopher Brillon arrived and observed a distressed man straddling the bridge security barrier on the northern section of the Interstate 95 southbound span of the Gold Star Bridge.
The officers began talking with the man, who eventually asked if Officer Albee would give him a hug.
Officer Albee agreed and told the man that if he came down, he would give him a hug.
The man came down from the security barrier, and Officer Albee slowly walked toward him.
They embraced and continued talking.
Connecticut State Police arrived on the scene and assumed control of the incident investigation.
Due to the positive rapport Officer Albee had established with the man, he accompanied him to a local hospital in a Groton Ambulance.
The man was transported to Backus Hospital in Norwich for further evaluation.
Groton Town Police were also assisted at the scene by the Groton City Fire Department.
Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis, or who sees someone in crisis, should call 911, 211 or 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
