An April 13 patrol on the Bronx‑Whitestone Bridge turned into a life‑or‑death scramble when two MTA police officers spotted a distraught woman dangling off the side and clinging to a Department of Transportation sign, most of her body hanging over the span. After a tense, minutes‑long conversation, they grabbed her and pulled her back to safety before the situation could turn tragic.
In an exclusive interview with the New York Post, MTA Police officers Raheem Uddin and Jesusalberto Fernandez walked through the rescue. Uddin, a four‑year department veteran according to the interview, said he talked with the woman for about five minutes, told her “I love you” to help calm the situation, then gently asked, “Can you tell me about your day?” before seizing the moment to grab her and pull her into a safety zone.
How officers de‑escalated the crisis
The pair’s approach, centered on calm, steady talk and open‑ended questions, mirrors guidance from crisis counselors about keeping someone engaged while help is on the way. Their tactics line up with advice from the 988 Lifeline and highlight how delicate rescue work can be on busy spans. The Bronx‑Whitestone Bridge links Queens and the Bronx and is managed by MTA Bridges and Tunnels (MTA).
Union praise and follow‑up
The department’s union publicly applauded the officers’ actions. MTA Police Benevolent Association President Joseph Pugliese, whose role is listed on the union’s website (MTA PBA), called their work “absolutely heroic,” the New York Post reported. The paper also noted that the unidentified woman received psychiatric care after the incident and that Uddin has stayed in touch with her mother.
If you or someone is in crisis
New Yorkers in emotional distress can call or text 1‑888‑NYC‑WELL for free, confidential, 24/7 support, or visit NYC Well for online chat options. Across the U.S., anyone can reach the national 988 Lifeline by dialing or texting 988 to connect with trained crisis counselors.
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