Authorities Save Man Attempting to Jump From Parrotts Ferry Bridge In Dramatic Rescue

ANGELS CAMP (CBS SF) -- The Tuolomne County Sheriff's Department is praising the actions of law enforcement officers who helped save the life of a man who tried to jump off of the Parrotts Ferry Bridge in Angels Camp Monday morning.

According to a post on the Tuolomne County Sheriff's Department Facebook page, shortly after midnight early Monday morning, the sheriff's office received a tip regarding a man who was threatening to jump off a local bridge.

Working with CHP, the Calaveras County Sheriff's Office and Angels Camp Police Department, the Tuolomne County Sheriff said both the Stevenot and Parrotts Ferry bridges were checked throughout the early morning hours without the man or his vehicle being located.

Shortly after 3 a.m., the man's car was found near the Parrotts Ferry bridge, but the man was not located during a check of the area. The sheriff's office said second search of the area was conducted on land and with boat patrols at 7 a.m.

It wasn't until around 10 a.m. that the man was finally located on the Parrotts Ferry bridge. Tuolumne County Sheriff's Corporal Andrew Long negotiated with the man for about ten minutes before the man attempted to jump from the bridge to the water approximately 150 feet below.

Corporal Long grabbed the man's arm through the railing and was able to hold him as he dangled for approximately 30 seconds before Calaveras County Deputy Jason Markovitz provided assistance. A photo taken by the Calaveras County Sheriff's Office UAV Team captured the dramatic moment of the rescue.

Long, Markovitz and other members of the Tuolumne County Sheriff's Search and Rescue Team pulled the man over the railing to safety. He was transported to an area hospital, but sustained no injuries.

"We want to thank all of our allied agencies and the heroic work of all law enforcement personnel today," the Facebook post concluded. "Your bravery, dedication and persistence saved a life."