Florida

Florida Uber Driver Helps Save Man's Life After Ride to Bridge

"God put that man in my car tonight for a reason. I'm just glad he is still alive," the driver wrote on Facebook

Florida Highway Patrol troopers rescued a man from Tampa Bay this week after a concerned Uber driver alerted them to the man's possible plan to take his life by jumping off a bridge.

Uber driver Chad Farley wrote on Facebook that he was working Monday night and had picked up the man, who requested to be taken to the middle of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa, a spot where dozens have reportedly died by or attempted suicide.

Farley said the man, who is in his 20s, said he had been diagnosed with brain cancer, so they started talking and praying. Farley said he took a picture with the man before he dropped the man off away from the bridge and called 911.

"I called 911 because this guy was definitely suicidal and his goal was for sure to jump off the Skyway Bridge if he was able to get up there," Farley wrote. "I had zero doubts about his intentions."

According to FHP, troopers responded to a rest area near the bridge and found the man on a fishing pier. As the troopers were talking with the man, he fled into the water and submerged himself, officials said.

The two troopers entered the dark water and were able to find the man after several minutes. He was taken to shore and the troopers gave him CPR until rescue workers arrived, officials said.

The 28-year-old man was taken to Bayfront Medical Center where he was listed in critical but stable condition, FHP officials said.

"God put that man in my car tonight for a reason. I'm just glad he is still alive," Farley wrote in the post.

SUICIDE PREVENTION HELP: The National Suicide Prevention Hotline (1-800-273-8255) is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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