Man who set himself on fire, jumped from Warren Avenue Bridge in Bremerton seriously hurt
BREMERTON — A man experiencing a mental health crisis set himself on fire and jumped from the Warren Avenue Bridge on Saturday afternoon and was rescued by passersby on a jet ski, according to Bremerton police reports.
Witnesses told police they pulled over when they saw the 31-year-old standing on what appeared to be a pylon on the bridge. They tried to talk to him, but the man, who was wearing a gas mask, poured a can of gasoline over himself and lit the fuel with a torch lighter. He then jumped into the water "with a paving stone strapped to his back," police said.
The witnesses were able to flag down the jet skiers, who were able to pull the man aboard and transport him to medics who were waiting on the shore at Lions Park. He was flown to Harborview Medical Center with serious injuries.
Police said the family of the man, who is active duty military, reported that he "has a long road ahead" in recovery.
The Kitsap Sun generally does not report attempted suicides but the incident was widely witnessed in the area of the bridge. Those in Kitsap who are experiencing a mental health crisis can call the Volunteers of America Western Washington at 888-910-0416.
This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Man who jumped from Bremerton bridge on fire seriously hurt
