Crime & Safety

Jumper, Still in Critical Condition, 'Never Touched the Rail'

In an unusual move, the suicide attempt included a terrifically athletic departure from the Santa Margarita Parkway Bridge.

More than 1 1/2 weeks after he jumped over the side of the Santa Margarita Parkway Bridge, a 21-year-old man remains in critical condition at Mission Hospital.

According to Lt. Brian Schmutz, chief of police services in Rancho Santa Margarita, the man is in an induced coma after having several surgeries, including one to reduce swelling in his brain. The 21-year-old Rancho Santa Margarita man remains in the Intensive Care Unit.

The about 9:30 a.m. on June 12.

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According to Cliff Phipps, who was driving his family across the bridge at the time of the incident, the suicide attempt seemed "surreal" as the victim essentially vaulted forward back first, his head and left shoulder leading the way, without ever touching the rail.

"He was doing nothing more than walking," Phipps recalled. "It was almost as if he said, 'Hey, I'll jump over the rail.'

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"I was amazed at how easily he made it over the railing," Phipps said. "It was amazing to me that the railing was not a big enough barrier. If he can get over without touching anything, it's not big enough."

Phipps, whose wife Carolyn made the 911 call to the Orange County Sheriff, said he appeared to land in the same position in which he went over the railing—flat, facing upward.

They were among several cars that stopped on the bridge. Phipps, a dentist, said he looked to see how he might be able to get down to the victim to assist in some way but there didn't appear to be any way down. The victim was extricated from the creek bed with a helicopter.

The bridge was shut down while the helicopter performed its rescue.

Six people have perished in falls from the bridge, two by accident and four in suicide attempts.


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