WILLIAMSBURG, Virginia -- A nerve racking life-or-death situation that could’ve easily turned tragic Thursday night turned out OK thanks to the efforts of a York-Poquoson Sheriff's deputy.
Deputy James Robinson's body camera captured the incident as a suicidal man attempted to jump off an overpass near Route 60, according to a news release.
Deputies responded to a call about a man in crisis sitting on the ledge of an overpass. As Robinson approached the man, he began talking to him, trying to bond with him to get him to come down to safety.
Over the course of about three minutes, the deputy repeatedly asked the man if he's OK. He saw a period in time where he could take action and he didn’t hesitate. His quick thinking of distracting the man was enough time to get him off the ledge.
Paramedics arrived on scene, treated the man and took him to a local hospital.
"Deputy Robinson showed the utmost compassion for the man and reassured him that he still has a lot to live for," the Sheriff's Office said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to this man and his family."
