NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL RIVER: Woman Jumps To Her Death From Bridge

NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL RIVER: Woman Jumps To Her Death From BridgeA Fayette County deputy saw several people gathered near a woman sitting on the rail of the New River Gorge Bridge shortly before 4 p.m. on December 5th. The 40-year-old Virginia woman had stopped her car in the northbound lane of US 19 and climbed onto the railing, 876 feet above the New River. Several motorists had stopped and were trying to talk the woman into moving away from the railing. By the time the deputy could get over to her, she was hanging from the Jersey barrier style rail. As he reached out to grab her forearm, she pushed off and fell to her death. The investigation is ongoing; there was no note found on her or in her vehicle. Rangers Tim Swicegood and Randy Fisher assisted in the body recovery; ranger Chuck Noll assisted with traffic control on the heavily used corridor.