SOLOMONS, Md. – On October 5, 2023, emergency personnel responded to an incident at Thomas Johnson Bridge and the Solomons Island Boat Ramp. At approximately 7:39 p.m., a person jumped off the bridge, resulting in the shutdown of traffic in both directions.
Crews from Calvert and St. Mary’s were dispatched to the scene to search for the victim in the water. Fire boats from both counties also responded to assist in the search and rescue operation. Maryland State Police, Trooper 2, with Flight medics and EMT’s on standby, had been pre-launched.
In a fortunate turn of events, a private boater was able to recover the 41-year-old male victim from the water and transport him to the Solomons Boat Ramp to meet EMS.
Firefighters established a landing zone at the Navy Recreation Center. CPR was initiated, and life-saving measures continued. However, due to trauma arrest, the MEDEVAC was canceled. The patient was then transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
This incident once again highlights the need for improved safety measures on the Governor Thomas Johnson Bridge. The communities of St. Mary’s County and Calvert County in Maryland have tragically experienced multiple losses of life on this bridge. Installing barriers along the sides of the bridge would significantly reduce the number of deaths by suicide and help prevent such tragic incidents from occurring.
To support the installation of suicide prevention barriers on the Thomas Johnson Bridge, please sign the petition here.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out to the following helplines:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Phone: 1-800-273-8255 or text (sms:988) 988
- Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741741
- Local Crisis Center: Phone: 1-877-467-5628 (Calvert County Behavioral Health)
- Suicide.org: Visit their website for hotlines, resources, and support groups for individuals in crisis.
Contact our news desk at news@thebaynet.com
Build a shorter bridge. The Navy doesn’t need it.
^^^^^ AND HAVE THE STATE PAY FOR IT ^^^^^^ DO NOT BUILD A TOLL BRIDGE!!
If there was a traffic accident tonight on the Johnson Bridge then I am wrong about the following statement: The St Mary’s Sheriff Office needs to stop erroneously reporting attempted suicides on the Johnson Bridge as a “traffic incident” and call it like it is. We, the public should be treated accordingly and to stop the “kids glove” treatment of us. Here is what they reported tonight, “ST. MARY’S SHERIFF: Thomas Johnson Bridge will be closed do to a traffic incident for the next hour. detour to the Benedictbridge. nixle.us/ERPEK”.
If someone wants to kill him or her self they’ll find a way. F46 and all who supports him. When they first opened the bridge I was in the Lexington Park rescue squad we would get 3 to 4 jumps per month.
No idea what 46 has to do with this, but why not say it while showing your name.
We need a new bridge – that the GOVERNMENT will pay for. People are gonna jump regardless, we need to invest in better (free) healthcare and mental health services.
There’s no such thing as free the tax payers pay for it F46 and all who supports him.
Nothing wrong with the current bridge
Couldn’t agree more and it’s not nearly as old as the Nice bridge before it was finally replaced. It’s the impatient people that need to be replaced.
Facts!
You’re correct… it’s not as old…but it HAS been crumbling apart at the tops of the pillars…for 30+ yrs!
…or haven’t you seen the metal bands strapped around the pillar tops, underneath the travel lanes of the bridge. Straps were installed the 80s…to contain cracking/ crumbling concrete. Why do you think it’s inspected so often?!
Literally nothing wrong with it, the nice bridge was built in the 40s and just got replaced
That bridge isn’t going anywhere anytime soon
My condolences to the family, now that being said Suicide prevention barriers? Right !! if someone wants to jump, they will, that won’t stop them. I say put a diving board up there and a Go Pro.
I agree
I agree once a person makes up their mind about killing themselves he or she will find a way.
Yes, that is proven in the so-called ‘Gun Violence’ statistics. You know, the fact over 54% of gun deaths are suicides, but THEY don’t mention that part when THEY are trying to take your rights away.
Close the bridge, because it’s the bridge’s fault.
Nobody is treading on you dear. WTF are you making this about guns/yourself.
Sorry Honey, it’s about suicide and the bridge, not what you read in your own mind.
You know that is a very question. If someone jumps off the bridge and into the water what does that have to do with the road way and the bridge??? Someone please help me understand……
They usually drive themselves to the top, abandon their vehicle and jump dingus. It’s a crime scene.
It’s not a crime scene, no crime was committed dingus
It’s not a crime scene, no crime was committed
Sadly this won’t stop. If State or Local Government cared, they would have done something about this a long time ago. At this point they’ve showed their intentions through omission. It is both an infrastructure and mental health emergency that nobody wants to open their wallets for. We should all be outraged. But keep that tax money flowing. *Sighs ..
Tear it down and don’t replace it
Love this. Eliminates all the bridge replacement debate!
Exactly!
The Navy and Calvert Cliffs NPP won’t permit that.
It’s not up to them, it’s up to the state of maryland sha
They usually drive themselves to the top, abandon their vehicle and jump dingus. It’s a crime scene.
It’s not a crime scene, no crime was committed
I wonder who the person is that jumped?
Constructive thinking is not your forte ,, get a clue and think before making such a statement…. And change your name to snow flake …
Safety measures would certainly be helpful BUT. This bridge is OLD, is in constant repair, the Navy’s need to have it so high is now defunct. A NEW bridge is needed. $10,000,000 has been already been spent for environmental and engineering STUDY(?) WHAT STUDY? OK Maryland enough already, BUILD a new bridge SOON and save lives!!!!!
All bridges are in constant repair and most bridges are much older than the TJ bridge which was built in the late 70s. The nice bridge was built in the 40s and handled 3-4 times the amount of traffic it was designed for. Should we replace you if you were made in the 70s?
Nothing wrong with the current bridge
You have to be kidding.
No, why?
So sad, God bless them all, please Marland we need better mental health out here, please it’s serious.
Yes, the commas, are serious, too.