Excerpt: 'Why I Jumped' by Tina Zahn

ByABC News via logo
October 9, 2006, 2:17 PM

Oct. 10, 2006 — -- In July 2004, in the throes of postpartum depression, Tina Zahn sped to the top of Leo Frigo Memorial Bridge in Green Bay, Wis.

She got out of her car, walked to the edge of the bridge and jumped.

In a miracle of timing and sheer will, state trooper Les Boldt grabbed Zahn's wrist before she plunged into the water, pulling her back to earth and saving her life.

"Why I Jumped" is the story of what led Zahn to the bridge on that summer day and what happened after her suicide attempt. Compelling and full of suspense, "Why I Jumped" is a riveting true story of depression, redemption and hope.

Prologue

July 19, 2004Green Bay, Wisconsin

"Nine-one-one. What is your emergency?"

Tucking the cell phone under his chin, Daniel Zahnwhipped the steering wheel to the left, making a sharp turn,cutting off the highway and across the median. His Durangobounced, skidding across the grass as he accelerated.

"My wife. She's going to jump!"

"I'm sorry, sir. Your wife is going to jump what?"

"The Tower Drive Bridge. She's going to jump off the bridge!"

His tires caught pavement, the car fishtailing a bit before lurchingforward, nearly knocking his cell phone off his shoulder.He grabbed it. "You have to stop her!"

"Can you tell me where you are, sir?"

Frustration and rising panic surged through Daniel as hewatched his wife's car up ahead of him weave through thetraffic and disappear.

"On 29 . . . a couple miles east of Packerland.She's heading for 41."

"And where are you, sir?"

"Westbound on . . ."

No, that wasn't right. He'd made a U-turnafter spotting Tina's car and was now racing to catch up with her.

"Eastbound on 29. I'm in a Durango. She's driving a whiteOldsmobile Aurora."

"Can you see her?"

"No . . . Yes! She's getting in the left-turn lane at Packerland.I think she may be heading home."

Relief rushed over him,nearly snatching his breath away, but it was short-lived. Hewatched in disbelief as Tina whipped her car around waitingtraffic and shot through the intersection.

"No! She didn't turn! She didn't turn! She's going for thebridge!"

Parked in a vacant grocery store lot, Sergeant Bill Morgankept half an ear on the radio as he filled out paperwork. Suddenlyhe heard dispatch call him.

"Headquarters, four-Ida, Lincoln one-ninety-two."

Grabbing the mic, he checked in. "Four-Ida."