Lake County sheriff’s deputies save man from jumping off bridge

Lake County sheriff’s deputies saved a distraught man from jumping off a bridge Monday afternoon in north suburban Beach Park.

The deputies responded to a suspicious person near Wadsworth Road and the Robert McClory bike path about 3 p.m., according to a statement from the sheriff’s office.

They found a 40-year-old distraught man clinging to the side of the overpass. He began counting down from ten and said he was going to jump.

Deputy Alexis Rachwalski began crisis communication with the man, according to the sheriff’s office. He eventually agreed not to jump and pulled himself back onto the bike path. He was taken to a hospital for evaluation.

“This is a situation which could have ended much differently if it weren’t for the rapid response and communication skills used by our sheriff’s deputies,” Sheriff Mark Curran said in the statement.

“I am grateful for the successful outcome.”