LOWELL — Emergency crews rescued a 25-year-old woman who jumped from the Rourke Bridge and into the Merrimack River early Monday morning.
The unidentified woman was semi-conscious when pulled from the water but was walking by the time she had reached the shore, according to Lowell Fire Chief Jeffrey Winward.
“Firefighters, police officers and EMS personnel all worked well together to save the woman’s life,” Winward said.
Lowell firefighters deployed two rescue boats when emergency crews learned of the woman jumping off the bridge at around 12:30 a.m., Winward said.
The woman treaded water, but was swept roughly 300 yards downstream by the time firefighters in Engine 10’s rescue boat reached her.
The woman was pulled into the boat and transported to shore near the Sampas Pavilion.
“From the time we were notified until the victim was pulled into the boat, it took just under 20 minutes, which was a remarkable feat,” Winward said.
The chief added the woman was semi-conscious when she was pulled from the Merrimack River, “and by the time she reached the shore, she was able to walk to the waiting ambulance.”
The woman was then rushed to Lowell General Hospital. Her condition as of late Monday afternoon was not available.
Winward said the reason the woman jumped is unclear.
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