Solomons Bridge Jumper

[mamatutu]

No, I choose to Not waste my time with you anymore.

Thank you!!! You have said this before, but, whatever. My daughter and I did the crisis hotline for Calvert for quite some time. So, again, get over yourself. And, again, apologies to all for these posts between 235 and I to be off topic. I have not lost focus of the reason for this thread. God bless us all, and the dearly departed.

 

[Rt235]

This is from a news article from March 7, 2007 about suicides from the bridge.

"At least 12 people have jumped from the nearly 30-year-old Thomas Johnson bridge, according to archived news reports. Only four survived."

It is 140 feet from bridge to water.

The article goes on to talk about the nature of jumpers and why there is no fence or barrier on with the 301 bridge or this one.

Here is the link:

Bridge jumps prompt talk of phones, barriers
Wednesday, March 7, 2007

From the Baltimore Sun, July 23, 1992: One of this 4 survivors:

Man survives dive off Patuxent bridge Police chased suspect through 2 counties.

July 23, 1992|By Sheridan Lyons | Sheridan Lyons,Staff Writer

A complaint about a loud car radio led to a chase early today that ended with a spectacular high dive from the top of the Gov. Thomas Johnson bridge over the Patuxent River.

Timothy Kenneth Hoofnagle, 28, of Lusby, Calvert County, was in fair condition with no serious injuries at the Washington Hospital Center trauma unit.

 

[BOP]

The really messed up ones aren't locals, they are imported. The heartless one is from Nebraska.

Ban imports! Ban Nebraska!

 

[FED_UP]

Wow jumper again, what is it with this bridge?

 

[cheezgrits]

Obviously you failed to see his pain and neglected to reach out out him to get help. So much for being a "close" friend! And look how much control he STILL has over you now for you to state you hate him and call him a selfish bastard.
Pretty smart guy to hook you in for the rest of YOUR life!!!
Such a wonderful momma you must be...NOT!!!

And to prove vrai's point about people ASSuming and jumpint to know it all conclusions....

1. Saw his pain, talked to him often and had helped him go to counseling.
2. He was 2000 miles away when he did it.
3. Yes, he was a close friend.
4. Yes, it has hooked me for life, I miss and think of him everyday.
5. Yes, still mad about it and always will be.
6. I'm not a momma, I have balls, you idiot.
7. Just who the fvck are you to judge me?

 

[Vince]

I think when someone does this and ties up bridge traffic, they should fish him out and let the stopped motorists beat the #### out of him.

Of course if hitting that water like a brick wall didn't kill him, the water temp will do it within a few minutes. I do not understand the attraction of jumping off the bridge.

You could do some sight seeing on the way down.....but you could only do it once.

 

[nomoney]

My guess is they won't be saying the same heartless lines to their co-workers face-to-face at the water cooler tomorrow morning for fear of looking like a despicable human being.

No, but I did say "yay! good crab year!"

 

[withrespect]

This thread has upset me more than any thread I have read on the forums to date. Suicide is a serious situation that affects so many people. Saying this person is an idiot for doing this infuriates me...

My aunt was schizophrenic and had scoliosis so bad that she couldnt get out of bed. She was in so much pain and was so messed up in the head from her disease that she didnt realize the effect it would have on everyone. She took a whole bottle of aspirin to kill herself. No, I don't think she was an idiot. I think she was in pain.

My brother-in-law was severely depressed and had a mental disorder as well. He locked himself in a garage and turned on three motorcycles to kill himself. Was he an idiot? No, he was in pain and "didn't want to bother the world with his problems anymore."

I am pretty well known around here for being mentally unstable and somewhat of an idiot from time to time. Depression and anxiety are not something easy to live with and going on with your day-to-day life and thinking about having to deal with tomorrow doesnt always seem like the easiest option. Sometimes ending it sounds like it would be better for everyone.

I feel bad for this family and I sympathize for the jumper.

 

[So_what]

So how come there's nothing about this from any of the news outlets? :shrug:

 

[warneckutz]

So how come there's nothing about this from any of the news outlets? :shrug:

SMNEWSNET had a post about it then it went POOF...

 

[bulldog]

For someone who was "done", you sure had a lot to add.

I really doubt that this guy/gal thought Oh I am going to do this now just so all the traffic will be held up for a bit, THAT'LL fix 'em.

I am sick and tired of the meanness/negativity on these damn forums. I work with a lot of people who are new to this area. AND I swear to GOD, they read these forums and think what a bunch of nasty, mean people live here. So many of you are truly embarrassing to the decent people who live here...There is such a difference between reasonable discussion and the name-calling, ignorant shyt that these forums generate. I am done. Prayers to the jumper, his/her family and to all fukking ignorant people who complained about it. You need just as much help as he did. Hopefully you will get some help -- or maybe someone will just knock you all off your damn thrones.

Unfortunately, I was asked about the forums by a co-worker. I was a member years ago, and rejoined after that conversation. And yes, I can turn it off - but (thank goodness), there are a few good posts now and then. Personal responsibility is one of my favorite things. So ...... I write a post critical of some very ugly comments and I am told to look away. Interesting.
As for not taking the internet seriously, that is a very convenient cop-out. Too often people use their supposed anonymity to post things they would never say face to face to someone. And, if they would say them in real life, that is even more shameful....

Death in any form is traumatic. I try to think of my audience, when I post. Would I want his family/co-workers to have their pain increased by thoughtless remarks? Years ago one of my friends had a son who was killed in a car accident. The photo on the front page of a local rag magazine showed the truck, with his legs hanging below the closed driver's door. Every person who knew this person, who worked with him, went to school with him, his cousins, friends, aunts,uncles, brothers... they all saw this while waiting in line in the grocery store, in the local 7-11.... So I try to think, "is this necessary???" before I post/say stuff. I just think we need more kindness. and I sincerely hope my lovely community here - where I have grown up - my family for generations has lived and raised families -- I just hope we aren't losing decentness, kindness, compassion. but from some of these horrible comments, I am afraid that is exactly what is happening.....

There is no comparison in these 2 situations. None.

:shrug:

 

[desertrat]

and the state says there is no need to expand the bridge....

They did?

 

[kwillia]

This thread has upset me more than any thread I have read on the forums to date. Suicide is a serious situation that affects so many people. Saying this person is an idiot for doing this infuriates me...

My aunt was schizophrenic and had scoliosis so bad that she couldnt get out of bed. She was in so much pain and was so messed up in the head from her disease that she didnt realize the effect it would have on everyone. She took a whole bottle of aspirin to kill herself. No, I don't think she was an idiot. I think she was in pain.

My brother-in-law was severely depressed and had a mental disorder as well. He locked himself in a garage and turned on three motorcycles to kill himself. Was he an idiot? No, he was in pain and "didn't want to bother the world with his problems anymore."

I am pretty well known around here for being mentally unstable and somewhat of an idiot from time to time. Depression and anxiety are not something easy to live with and going on with your day-to-day life and thinking about having to deal with tomorrow doesnt always seem like the easiest option. Sometimes ending it sounds like it would be better for everyone.

I feel bad for this family and I sympathize for the jumper.

I think your post hit the nail right smack dab on the head... either we can comprehend the thought of committing suicide or we can't. Those who can tend to sympathize with the jumper and their family and friends... those who can't tend to be disgusted and/or angry at the idea of it.

 

[Baja28]

This thread has upset me more than any thread I have read on the forums to date. Suicide is a serious situation that affects so many people. Saying this person is an idiot for doing this infuriates me...

My aunt was schizophrenic and had scoliosis so bad that she couldnt get out of bed. She was in so much pain and was so messed up in the head from her disease that she didnt realize the effect it would have on everyone. She took a whole bottle of aspirin to kill herself. No, I don't think she was an idiot. I think she was in pain.

My brother-in-law was severely depressed and had a mental disorder as well. He locked himself in a garage and turned on three motorcycles to kill himself. Was he an idiot? No, he was in pain and "didn't want to bother the world with his problems anymore."

I am pretty well known around here for being mentally unstable and somewhat of an idiot from time to time. Depression and anxiety are not something easy to live with and going on with your day-to-day life and thinking about having to deal with tomorrow doesnt always seem like the easiest option. Sometimes ending it sounds like it would be better for everyone.

I feel bad for this family and I sympathize for the jumper.

I think your post hit the nail right smack dab on the head... either we can comprehend the thought of committing suicide or we can't. Those who can tend to sympathize with the jumper and their family and friends... those who can't tend to be disgusted and/or angry at the idea of it.

Many/most of the posts are relating to him/her jumping from the bridge making a big production out of it. I agree with them.

There are much quieter ways to end your suffering without affecting entire communities.

Sorry for your losses WR.

 

[NextJen]

I don't consider myself a heartless person. I have compassion for folks who are going through life issues and facing daunting situations and feel like there is nowhere to turn. Been there, and thankfully, by the grace of God I pushed through and persevered.

However, I am a practical person and made a simple comment on the Southern Maryland News Net FB post yesterday and got totally blasted for it. I simply asked why traffic was stopped on the bridge if the jumper was in the water? There was no mention in the original FB post of the car being on the bridge. So, the NewsNet came back and said the car was there and it was a crime scene...then I got bashed.

Being a practical person, I still don't understand why the car couldn't have immediately been towed off of the bridge. If it wasn't involved in an accident, and there was no need for reconstruction, why couldn't it be towed out of the way to let hundreds, if not thousands of people get to where they need to be. It's not like everyone is just in a hurry for no reason. There are people out there that have children to pick up from daycare or school or they will be charged a late fee, or possibly other instances that require them to be somewhere urgently.

Asking why a car couldn't be towed does not make me inhumane. The person was in the water and that is where the effort needed to be focused to try to save or find them. The car could be moved and then examined for suicide notes or what have you, after it is off of the bridge.

 

[kwillia]

I don't consider myself a heartless person. I have compassion for folks who are going through life issues and facing daunting situations and feel like there is nowhere to turn. Been there, and thankfully, by the grace of God I pushed through and persevered.

However, I am a practical person and made a simple comment on the Southern Maryland News Net FB post yesterday and got totally blasted for it. I simply asked why traffic was stopped on the bridge if the jumper was in the water? There was no mention in the original FB post of the car being on the bridge. So, the NewsNet came back and said the car was there and it was a crime scene...then I got bashed.

Being a practical person, I still don't understand why the car couldn't have immediately been towed off of the bridge. If it wasn't involved in an accident, and there was no need for reconstruction, why couldn't it be towed out of the way to let hundreds, if not thousands of people get to where they need to be. It's not like everyone is just in a hurry for no reason. There are people out there that have children to pick up from daycare or school or they will be charged a late fee, or possibly other instances that require them to be somewhere urgently.

Asking why a car couldn't be towed does not make me inhumane. The person was in the water and that is where the effort needed to be focused to try to save or find them. The car could be moved and then examined for suicide notes or what have you, after it is off of the bridge.

I agree with the practicality of your post 100%.

 

[frequentflier]

In talking to a few First Responders and LEO's, I have gathered that there is a relatively high suicide rate in this area as well as - of late: some OD's from heroin and prescription drugs. They rarely make the news and I have never seen a notice in the obits that states "Johnny killed himself" or "Judy OD'd on heroin".

Given what I was told, I think it is more common than many people realize and though I have no statistics, I welcome comments from First Responders (I know there are a few active/ inactive forumites) as to whether what I was told is true.

Yesterday, this alleged/ attempted suicide was done publicly as opposed to privately and has many people with many opinions commenting and wondering what really happened. Some people care; some don't. Human nature.


Though I have had my share of dark and seemingly hopeless times in my life, killing myself has never been an option. I am strong and have a wonderful support system if I ever feel that low.
Unfortunately, not everyone is the same. May the jumper rest in peace if he was successful. If he is still alive, I hope he will get the help he needs to succeed with a long and fruitful life.

 

[vraiblonde]

However, I am a practical person and made a simple comment on the Southern Maryland News Net FB post yesterday and got totally blasted for it. I simply asked why traffic was stopped on the bridge if the jumper was in the water? There was no mention in the original FB post of the car being on the bridge. So, the NewsNet came back and said the car was there and it was a crime scene...then I got bashed.

It is my experience that most people are not interested in actually thinking about things or discussing them. Their bag of tricks only includes freaking out and accusing others of being "mean". That's how we got the iron-fisted government we have - mindless reactionaries and Mommies of the World.

My impression is that their lives have so little meaning that they feel this overwhelming need to prove to strangers how "compassionate" and "empathetic" they are, while being hateful and ugly to anyone who disagrees with them. They think they are important enough to save the world and every human being in in, not to mention control the earth's climate. They "care".

I find it tedious.

 

[RidgeChick]

For someone who was "done", you sure had a lot to add.

I'm sorry - I meant done as in 'fed up'. Sorry to bust your bubble lol

 

[PsyOps]

Many/most of the posts are relating to him/her jumping from the bridge making a big production out of it. I agree with them.

There are much quieter ways to end your suffering without affecting entire communities.

Sorry for your losses WR.

I would say someone ending their life – especially for the person doing it – is a big production. I can’t claim to understand what drives someone to take such a drastic step, but regardless of how a person decides to do it, it is going to impact others negatively, and I doubt the first thing that is on the mind of the one committing suicide is how their death is going to impact traffic and your life.

If anyone has known someone that suffers mental pain (depression, anxiety, etc…) they know it’s not a rational state of mind. It causes that person to do things that ‘normal’ people wouldn’t do, and wouldn’t make sense to ‘normal’ people. From a person that has never known someone to suffer from depression or other mental problems, I guess I understand the response to lash out at the selfishness that person is exhibiting. But to people that have known someone to suffer from mental illness, they understand it’s a place that the only person suffering can understand; and even there it puts them in a place where they are unable to think rationally.

Suicide, no matter where it occurs, is a selfish act. It puts everyone else left behind in a place of dealing with the after-effects. But I refuse to not consider that pain this person must have been in to take this extreme step. Could have lost a child to cancer. Could have just found out they had inoperable cancer. Could have lost their job and had everything taken from them. Could be suffering from trying to get sober. None are excuses for doing such a selfish act; but they are explanations, and a place I can’t say I’ve ever been; so I can’t claim I understand it. But I do try to understand that it’s very painful place to be.

Despite all of that, this person’s life seems over (I don’t know if they found the body or not). The family will deal with the pain of their loss. The people stuck on this bridge were inconvenienced for a while; but their lives will go on and they will forget about it in a month. We will go on living.