Man Jumped from Pa. Bridge After Fleeing from Ambulance
May 25--A man who escaped from an ambulance jumped from the Apollo Bridge between Westmoreland and Armstrong counties on Sunday and was recovered alive just before noon from the Kiski River.
Police arrested the North Huntingdon man Saturday in charges of violating a protection-from-abuse order, according to state police Lt. Tom Dubovi. An ambulance was taking him to Clarion Hospital for a mental health evaluation when he somehow escaped about 10:20 a.m. onto the bridge, which is also called the Leonard C. Miller Bridge.
Police had the bridge shut down when he jumped at 11:53 a.m. to the river about 55 feet below. The Armstrong County Swift Boat Rescue Team picked him up about 25 feet downriver. He was unconscious but breathing. An emergency crew from the Vandergrift Volunteer Fire Department 2 stabilized his neck, loaded him into and ambulance, and he regained consciousness. He was flown to a Pittsburgh hospital.
Authorities said his injuries are not life-threatening.
Copyright 2014 - The Valley News-Dispatch, Tarentum, Pa.
