The following article addresses the sensitive topic of suicide. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

A potentially tragic situation was averted in Sullivan County, Tennessee, when Tennessee Highway Patrol officers successfully intervened to save a woman contemplating suicide from a bridge on Friday.

A video shared on Facebook by the Tennessee Highway Patrol chronicles the response of multiple agencies to the emergency on Interstate 81 south. The woman, located near the 60-mile marker above the Holston River, was described as being in a “dark place.”

The law enforcement agency expressed relief, stating, “Thanks to coordinated efforts and timely intervention, she is safe tonight.”

The operation involved a comprehensive response from various groups. Seven units from the Tennessee Highway Patrol were present, alongside two units from Sullivan County, the Kingsport Police Department, and Sullivan County EMS. Support was also provided by two units from the Tennessee Department of Transportation, as well as teams from Tennessee State Parks and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA). Additionally, a TWRA agent was strategically stationed in a boat beneath the bridge.

Tennessee Highway Patrol officers rescued a woman who was considering jumping from a bridge on Dec. 26, 2025. (Credit: Facebook/Tennessee Highway Patrol)

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.