Dramatic twist after missing man found on motorway bridge

The search for a missing man took a dramatic turn when he was spotted dangling over the edge of an overpass to a busy motorway.

Police tracked down the missing 19-year-old, who was found in distress on a Southwest Miami-Dade overpass on August 29.

Miami-Dade Police said officers attempted to plead with the man to back up, but then he suspended himself over the side of the ramp.

A witness’s mobile phone vision and bodycam vision from several police officers captured the tense moment the officers swung into action to save the man’s life.

Officer Randy Pineyro was the first to reach the man, he can be seen lunging out and grabbing the man by the arm, he holds on tightly pleading with the man to “relax” as other officers run toward the man.

“He’s springing into action, completely selflessly, determined to save that young man’s life,” Sargent Cheryl Diaz, who was also at the scene, said at a media conference.

Her bodycam vision shows her climbing over a concrete wall pleading with the man not to let go.

“Don’t do it man, don’t do it please!” Sargent Diaz can be heard yelling as she grabs onto the man.

Police officers worked together to pull the man to safety, officers said it was tricky as the man was sweating and they almost lost their grip.

Police Director Alfredo Ramirez III praised the officers involved for their quick thinking and selfless actions to save the man.

“I’m extremely proud, although not surprised, of the officers’ heroic acts to save a human life. I’m also grateful for the citizen video and bodycam footage which allows us a glimpse of what is so often unnoticed, our finest in action safeguarding life and protecting our community!” he wrote on Twitter.

The young man was taken to hospital to receive a mental health assessment and treatment.

“The last six months, our community and ourselves, everybody in the country, has been having a difficult time. Luckily, we were able to bring this man and save this man’s life and give him the treatment he needed,” Lieutenant Romero, who was at the scene, said.

Sargent Diaz said the incident was close to home, having experienced a suicide in her personal life and seeing death all too often in her professional life.

“Somebody very close to me unfortunately killed themselves, and it’s a trauma. The family never gets over it.

Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.

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