Tappan Zee Bridge worker stops jumper

A construction supervisor on the Tappan Zee Bridge saved a woman who was threatening to jump Tuesday. Ernie Finney was sitting in his office when he heard a call over the radio about a woman on the bridge.

News 12 Staff

May 28, 2014, 8:58 PM

Updated 3,620 days ago

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Tappan Zee Bridge worker stops jumper
A construction supervisor on the Tappan Zee Bridge saved a woman who was threatening to jump Tuesday.
Ernie Finney was sitting in his office when he heard a call over the radio about a woman on the bridge. Finney immediately jumped in his car and sped to the scene. When Finney arrived, he saw a young woman threatening to jump from a high beam on the westbound side of the bridge.
Finney says when the woman apparently got distracted by the emergency responders rushing to her rescue, he then made his move. Finney was able to grab the woman from behind and bring her down to safety.
This wasn?t the only time Finney played the role of rescuer. Earlier this month, he was on the scene of an accident where a tractor-trailer on the Tappan Zee burst into flames, killing the driver and injuring several others. Finney, a bridge worker for 26 years, says none of the rescue efforts are for the thrill or risk, but for the chance he could save someone?s life.To view an interview with Finney, go to channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and click on iO Extra.


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