Busy Binghamton Bridge Closed After Man Threatens to Jump

A bridge over the Susquehanna River in Binghamton was shut down for almost two hours while police negotiated with a man who was spotted sitting on a railing.

Police officers were sent to the Tompkins Street bridge shortly after noon Wednesday after the man was observed straddling the railing above the river.

The heavily-used bridge connects the city's South Side with the downtown business district and to points on the East Side.

Traffic from Brandywine Avenue was prevented from using the Tompkins Street bridge for nearly two hours on June 22, 2022. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Police closed the span to vehicular traffic and called the city fire department for assistance. Pedestrians and bicyclists were allowed to cross the bridge using the sidewalk on its west side.

A fire rescue boat was staged near the river off North Shore Drive in the event it was needed.

Emergency vehicles on the east side of the Tompkins Street bridge. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Negotiators talked with the man for about 90 minutes. After the situation was resolved, he was transported to the crisis unit at Binghamton General Hospital to be evaluated.

The bridge was reopened to traffic shortly before 2 p.m.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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Filed Under: Binghamton, Binghamton Fire Department, Binghamton police, Tompkins Street bridge

Categories: Articles, Local News