Man jumps from Route 8 bridge Tuesday and dies, Akron police confirm

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A 46-year-old man died Tuesday evening when he jumped from the state Route 8 bridge, according to Akron police.

Officers responded to the Route 8 bridge northbound at about 5:06 p.m. and had “very brief contact or interaction” with the man, who was said to be despondent and threatening to jump, Capt. Michael Miller said in an email.

The man reportedly jumped from the bridge minutes later, Miller said.

“Officers reportedly attempted to establish rapport, de-escalate, and encourage the subject to come off the edge, but unfortunately, he jumped from the bridge and caused his death,” Miller said.

Miller clarified that there was no indication that the responding officers had any physical contact with the man by grabbing or holding onto him.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Man jumps off Route 8 bridge in Akron and dies, police confirm