This article addresses the topic of suicide. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 or calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Officers from the Tennessee Highway Patrol successfully intervened in a potential tragedy on Friday, saving a woman reportedly contemplating suicide from a bridge in Sullivan County.
According to a video shared on Facebook by the Tennessee Highway Patrol, multiple agencies collaborated to assist a woman in distress on a bridge located on Interstate 81 southbound, near the 60-mile marker over the Holston River. The woman was described as being in a “dark place.”
“Thanks to the collective efforts and presence of various teams, she is safe and alive tonight,” the Tennessee Highway Patrol stated.
Responding to the crisis were seven units from the Tennessee Highway Patrol, two units from Sullivan County, the Kingsport Police Department, Sullivan County EMS, two units from the Tennessee Department of Transportation, as well as personnel from Tennessee State Parks and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA). A TWRA agent was strategically placed in a boat beneath the bridge to assist if needed.
The swift actions of these coordinated teams prevented a potential tragedy and ensured the woman’s safety.
The video shows a woman standing on the ledge of the bridge with her arms folded as officers speak with her in an effort to de-escalate the situation.
Moments later, an officer approaches from behind and safely pulls her away from the edge.
The woman, who has not been identified, was later seen on a gurney inside an ambulance with medical personnel.
A woman was seen on the ledge of a bridge in Sullivan County, Tennessee, on Dec. 26, 2025. (Credit: Facebook/Tennessee Highway Patrol)
“Different agencies, one mission. Save a life. And they did,” said the Tennessee Highway Patrol. “This time of year can be especially hard. Many people are carrying things no one else can see. Stress, grief, loneliness, and fear can pile up fast. That does not mean someone is weak. It means they are human. If you are struggling, please hear this. You matter, and help is available.”
A sign for the 988 Lifeline mental health emergency hotline is seen in Walnut Creek, California, on Dec. 20, 2024. (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
“If you know someone who might be hurting, check on them. A call, a text, or simply asking how they are doing can make more difference than you realize. Today ended with a life saved. That matters,” the agency added.
