News 12 Digital is highlighting the most-viewed stories of 2018 as part of our 'News 12's Most-Viewed' series. This story on the rescue of a boy who jumped off an overpass was first published on Aug. 4. Original story below.
A boy who jumped off an overpass on the Saw Mill River Parkway is still recovering after an off-duty police officer took the jump after him to save his life.
Hastings-on-Hudson Officer Jessie Ferreira Cavallo says she was driving northbound on the parkway on Friday when she saw the boy running against traffic just before Exit 9.
The boy then stopped and jumped about 30-feet below into an empty city storage yard.
“I was shocked. That's why I knew I had to stop and do something,” said Cavallo.
The officer grabbed a first aid kit and took nearly the same jump as the boy.
The officer administered CPR and first aid with the help of another good Samaritan. They were able to put a neckbrace on him, make a splint for his arm and clear blood from his airway.
The boy is being treated at Westchester Medical Center for broken bones and other injures. Doctors say he is expected to survive.
The child is reportedly between 12 and 13 years old and a student at the Andrus School for vulnerable children. That school is located less than two miles away from where he made the near-fatal jump.
News 12 reached out to the Andrus School for more information on the boy, but no one was available to comment.