Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Man Survives Jump Off George Washington Bridge
By
Jen Chung
Published Nov 9, 2009
Modified Nov 9, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Nov 9, 2009
Modified Nov 9, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Last Friday, a man jumped off the George Washington Bridge—and survived and managed to swim to the NJ side, where he was taken to a hospital. According to the NY Post, "Adrian Rawn, 28, took the plunge without so much as a pause after abruptly stopping his car on the span's lower level at about 11:30 a.m." And that would be a 212-foot plunge into 55-degree water.
Rawn, who was a star on the Naval Academy's water polo and swimming teams and is listed as an assistant water polo coach at the University of Maryland, was found clinging to a rock by Fort Lee church deadon Gi Yeon Rheem, who told the Post, "He started shivering...He got up and walked into the sunshine. I gave him my scarf, and he said, 'Thank you.'"
Miraculously, he didn't suffer any brain injuries, just a concussion, cuts and bruises. Yesterday, the Post reported, "In recent weeks, he was having trouble at work and his grandmother died, sources said," while it previously mentioned that Rawn "was pepper-sprayed by cops while allegedly resisting arrest" after "drunkenly beating up a Northampton, Mass., cabby in a fare dispute."
Tagged
Adrian Rawn
George Washington Bridge
Jumper
suicide
survival
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Man shot on Midtown subway platform Saturday afternoon, NYPD says
Police responded to at the 53rd Street and 7th Avenue station in Manhattan.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 17, 2026 at 1:16 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 17, 2026 at 1:29 p.m. ET
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
News
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Tompkins Square Park is getting a makeover. Some say it's too much.
By
Willow Higgins
Deer are all over New Jersey roads looking for sex, state officials warn
By
Rosemary Misdary
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .