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First Northbound GWB Jumper Dies During South Walk Fence Construction

FORT LEE, N.J. -- A man jumped from the northbound George Washington Bridge walkway on Monday afternoon -- the same day that construction of a suicide prevention fence began on the opposite side, authorities said.

GWB

GWB

Photo Credit: PHOTO: Jerry DeMarco

The Port Authority on Monday had opened the north side to begin construction of the south side prevention fence.

The project, scheduled to be completed this year, is part of a $1.9 billion “Restore the George” restoration plan, the authority has said.

The south walk will be closed for the three months while a temporary fence is erected, but pedestrians and bicyclists will be able to use the north side, which ordinarily is closed.

Monday's jumper went over the northern walkway at 2:45 p.m., the Port Authority's Joseph Pentangelo said.

A Coast Guard vessel brought him to the Edgewater boat basin, and an authority ambulance brought him to Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, Pentangelo said.

It was the 12th suicide from the GWB this year. 18 people jumped to their deaths each of the two previous years.

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