|
|||||||
|
the barrier • by name • search • home bottom of this page • site map • contact |
2025 jump eventsupdated: 09.24.25 |
|
(our comments follow) |
| have a comment? question? answer? |
|
this form is anonymous and reveals nothing about you, your device, or location. we use first names, last initials only. you may leave any input field blank. comments do not appear immediately, please be patient. if we post your comment, it will be found on the page most appropriate to your subject matter or on the comments page. if the form does not work for your device, try this. |
|
09.24.25:
jumper, 9:10am, male, died, body found, jumped from below the barrier unknown |
|
thank you, jumpnews reporters: 09.24.25, FL Bill, St Pete, regarding: jumper and suspicious package, The bridge is closed for a jumper that got stopped but left a package on the bridge. North and South Bound traffic stopped. 09.24.25, anon, St. Pete, Radio is reporting a jumper with a lot of cops surrounding. Area is closed 09.24.25, JoCarole H., facebook, article says jumper left the package before jumped! any more info is welcome. |
| 09.24.25, Hillsborough Sheriff, Location: 0 BLOCK SKYWAY BRIDGE, ASSIST OTHER AGENCY, Service Date: 09/24/2025 @ 9:10, Time Cleared: 9:13, Report Number: 251014714, 0h03m |
|
09.24.25, iontb/fb,
Skyway: At least one southbound lanes of the Skyway Bridge remains closed for law enforcement
activity. SB traffic was diverted at 54th Avenue South. As of 12:30 All lanes of the Skyway Bridge have now been reopened.  09.24.25,  09.24.25, wtsp.com, Skyway Bridge reopens after suspicious package found, police say. TAMPA, Fla. - The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is back open after being shut down in both directions when a suspicious package was found, according to St. Pete police. Officials said a man left the package inside his car at around 11 a.m. Wednesday before jumping off the bridge. The bomb squad was called to investigate out of an abundance of caution but later confirmed there were no explosives found. Authorities say the man was later found dead. Southbound traffic was being diverted at 54th Avenue South, while northbound traffic was being diverted at I-75 and I-275. Just before 12:30 p.m., Florida Highway Patrol announced all lanes had reopened. No other details were immediately provided. Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis can contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. You can also contact the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay at 211 or call 911. 09.25.25, 953wdae.com, Sunshine Skyway Bridge Reopens After Suspicious Package Investigation. Tampa, FL - The Sunshine Skyway Bridge was temporarily closed on Wednesday morning due to law enforcement activity following a report of a suspicious package. The incident, which involved a bomb squad investigation, led to significant traffic disruptions before the bridge reopened around 12:30 p.m. According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to the bridge at approximately 9:48 a.m. after discovering a suspicious vehicle parked on the southbound span. A sheriff's office spokeswoman confirmed that the driver of the vehicle had jumped from the bridge. "I can confirm that a subject jumped from the Skyway Bridge this morning and was found deceased," said spokesperson Casey Minuto. Notification of next of kin is pending. The sheriff's office bomb team was called to examine a suspicious box found inside the vehicle. After robots were used to access the vehicle, it was determined the contents were not a threat. Both northbound and southbound lanes of I-275 over the bridge were closed for several hours during the investigation. All lanes of traffic have since reopened. The closure caused significant traffic delays, with motorists advised to seek alternative routes. Southbound traffic on I-275 was diverted at 54th Avenue South, while northbound traffic was diverted at the I-75 & I-275 split. Drivers were urged to avoid the area until the investigation was concluded and the bridge was cleared for reopening. As of now, the Florida Highway Patrol has not released further details regarding the identity of the individual involved or the circumstances leading to the incident. The investigation is ongoing. |
|
facebook post, comments: 09.24.25, Jennifer F., Will this make local news? • it actually did make the news this time. probably due to the 'suspicious package'. his death seemed more like a side note in the articles i saw. 09.25.25, Jean Y., I drive over that bridge twice a day, 5 days a week. I'm thankful for the barrier. Seeing people ready to jump dangling their legs over the edge is a site that never leaves your mind even years later. That barrier has kept me from having to live through that again. • those that hate the barrier seem angry that people are thwarted from jumping off the bridge. they reason, "those that are so determined will just find another way". while that is true, they will not be jumping off the skyway to anywhere near the frequency as before. it all comes down to public vs. private. when you drag the public into your last act performance, you traumatize them. when you check out in private, you don't. it's that simple. people will continue to self-eliminate. that will never end. ending the public spectacle is what the barrier is about. glad you are seeing less of that. 09.25.25, Suzanne D., when we offered this link, nice to know you wouldn't offer anyone help in an emergency situation.. At least Monica has empathy for others .. Oh and your link doesn't offer much other then the possibilities that common sense already tells you if you stop on a busy highway.. Floridaduh • your assumption that i wouldn't offer help when i could is a fallacy on your part. you don't know me or my capabilities. my linked opinion covers the general population and contains no errors. it's just the reality of what happens up on that bridge at the time of someone's ardent desire to self-eliminate. it has less to do with empathy and more to do with people's desire for self-preservation, when cast into a random chaotic event at 65mph. 09.25.25, TK Tony T., Mental health struggles are real. Especially with people not being able to afford to live, losing a job. Deaths of despair have been increasing. The economy is not good. People also are losing their humanity, community is no longer valued, and limited kind and resources mean competition breeds selfishness instead of cooperation. We need to invest more in job training, skills building, trade schools, and infrastructure. Instead the jobs keep getting cut. later: I've been there myself. I'm not gonna pretend I haven't considered taking "the Skyway ride" more than once in the past. In fact, the last time I was serious about it was last summer. I got to the DMV too late to get a new ID, and lost the apartment my girlfriend and I wanted and needed. Was kicked out of my current home through no real fault of my own (vindictive new roommate exposed a 15 year old drug charge to the property management company and they evicted me). Also blew one of the best job offers of my life. Somehow, my car engine seized up on the way to the bridge. I was getting on 275 from Maximo Park. There was only one exit between there and the bridge, but I had zero plans on getting off before. I was gonna do it. I'm not religious, but perhaps it was some type of divine intervention. Or luck, but I almost never have good luck. Make of that what you will. 09.24.25, Amy C., What is going on there? I heard it’s closed in both directions • Amy C., Nevermind the news said it was a possible bomb • also a jumper. • Amy C., I should’ve known that when no one was with the car ??????? • he jumped from so low, yet died anyway. maybe he couldn't swim or was impaired. sad either way. • Amy C., Oh yeah I remember thinking it wasn’t up at the top. People die of broken hearts so he knew what he was going there to do and did it. • perhaps climbing the fence was something he could not do. i can't imagine what he was going through making the decision, perhaps fretting over the possibility of surviving such a low jump height. • Amy C., Sadly he passed the pain onto his family instead of just feeling the emotion then realizing it was only temporary. We all must experience the bad to appreciate the good when it comes along. • while everything you said is spot on, it doesn't power through the wall of depression that consumes one to the point of self-death. imagine how long it took to get the point of taking that last step. • Amy C., You are correct. I pray I am never in that position that I would need to choose. My thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family • it's always those left behind to pick up the pieces. more barrier disagreement. imagine that. |
|
08.27.25: jumper,
1:16pm, male, hit rocks, died, body recovered Zachary Ryan Severini, 27 |
|||
|
thank you, jumpnews reporters: 08.27.25, Nicholas C., facebook, Jumper. 10 minutes ago. Body not found yet. later: Deceased. Hit rocks 08.27.25, Jim P., facebook, Jumper just went over. Northbound lane. Reports that he hit the rocks or the fenders. Bicycle in road. Multiple calls. He's been spotted on center of rock pile. Confirmed deceased. 08.27.25, Brandon B., facebook, From what I’ve gathered seems like somebody rode a bike up there. A comment said it looks like a kids bike, but not confirmed. Another guy said he watched somebody climb the fence. some are so determined. imagine riding a bike all that way and then vaulting over the fence. 08.27.25, anon, Young male rides bike to the top and jumped. Landed on rocks below.  08.27.25, Derrick H., Hillsborough, Abandoned bicycle found at peak of bridge, lane closures, heavy ems and law enforcement on bridge and in water. Currently searching the water under where the bike is. any more info is welcome. |
|||
| 08.27.25, Hillsborough Sheriff, 0 BLOCK SKYWAY BRIDGE Event: ASSIST OTHER AGENCY @ 13:11 Time Cleared: 13:13 Report Number: 25909466, 0h02m | |||
08.27.25, iontb/fb,
Skyway Bridge: Expect delays northbound at the top of the bridge due to Fire Rescue and Law
Enforcement activity.
|
|||
|
|||
|
08.28.25, Dawn, Oldsmar, FL, All I have to say is why didn't anyone stop to try to save this man.
It's worth a try. If I saw it I would've stopped I don't care if I'm risking my own life. We need
to help each other. If you never lost a loved one from suicide you don't know how horrible it is.
It's absolutely the worst. I feel horrible for that family that lost their loved one to a choice.
08.29.25, anon, facebook, some news for you, due to the recent events on the skyway. there will be a road ranger stationed there, patrolling from south to north rest area of the skyway, 24/7 09.10.25, Anon, St Pete, Man I worked with Zack for almost 6 months and he was always the happiest and most funny guy to be around. Tragic man, really is. |
|||
|
facebook post, this incident produced a record outpouring of comments, debate, and hate. 08.27.25, Shawn H., How was he able get all the way to the top of the bridge on a bicycle with out getting stopped? That’s the better question later: EDIT: Some of yall seem to think it’s legal to walk or ride a bike on the bridge as you please, that’s %100 false and illegal. You cant walk on the shoulder of any stretch of 275. They also have cameras that are monitored 24/7 for this exact reason on the bridge, plus two FHP officers that are active 24/7. I was the DOT inspector for the suicide prevention fence for the entirety of the project. I spent 6 months on top of the bridge. Not one time did I ever see a person walk or ride over the bridge with out getting stopped. Someone failed to do their job today. • that was my first thought when i saw the small bike. since the fence was installed, jumpers have faded to near zero for a few years now. my guess is that patrols were fewer and/or more relaxed. monitoring definitely failed on several levels. • Cynthia U., Nobody thought a child riding a bike and climbing the fence was worth stopping and questioning??? Very sad😭😢 • Barbara H., he was doubly successful riding that bike all the way to the top without getting caught then jumping. That's a skill set not many would have. • Lauren P., back when Bay News 9 had the live feeds from the cameras, a bridge alert came out, my colleague and I pulled up the live stream and we literally watched her get out mid span, runabout 10 feet and off she went. She survived. • Heather C., The boy pedaled upward toward the clouds, trading handlebars for heaven’s gate. His last trick wasn’t a wheelie, but a swan dive—flesh against stone, bones scattering like spilled chalk. The sky swallowed his scream, leaving only the echo of spokes still spinning with no rider to claim them... ...followed by a wide spectrum of responses. • Scott D., It takes a lot of thought to go all the way up the bridge like that, I had a troubled friend years ago that tried to walk up the bridge and jump, but he was stopped and got Baker acted and he said he would never try that again .. he died peacefully in his chair, watching Jeopardy like he should have. 😔 • Destry W., I was up there once before the fence, a Tampa female officer saved my life. My life is still hard, but i'm alive thanks to her. • Shae A., I saw the gentleman get off the bike and start to climb the net as I was passing in sb lane. Last I saw in mirror was him going over the top of the net... so so sad I was really hoping I didn't see what it appears I did. • Destini L., I remember when I was 7 fishing at the skyway fishing pier I caught a dead man His shirt got stuck on the hook I remember the dolphins helping the rescuers by pushing him up. I found out the next day he was a jumper. 🥹 I still remember what he looked like & the shirt he was wearing. later: I swear it really happened. I went to school the next day and got in trouble bc the teachers thought I was lying until my parents told them I was telling the truth. later: The main reason why I am scared to fish. u can tell the fish was eating his face. 08.29.25, Mary Q., I saw him riding up the bridge but never thought he was a jumper. • Hunter M., my heart is shattered learning it was him. He was loved by so many people. He was the kindest person you would ever meet. He was a huge fan of music, he had some of the coolest vinyl records and was extremely passionate about showing them to you. He was really big into fitness, he put a lot of time and effort into his health. He is already missed by so many people all around the world. The world lost a really good person. • Pam F., There are no news articles about this claim. Can't be verified. if you didn't see verification, then clearly it didn't happen. • pay no attention to the many witnesses and photos. do continue depending on the media for what to think about everything all the time. they will always report the truth, says no one with at least two functional brain cells left that are dedicated to logic and reason.~ 08.30.25, Rosemarie L., Please be kind and have compassion. This fine young man was full of life. His family and friends are hurting and trying to understand. Everyone quickly jumps to conclusions and tend to make heartless comments. Zach was someone’s son, brother, cousin, friend and all around good guy. It hits hard when you see the pain his family and friends are going through. No one truly knows what he was going through. We are all trying to comprehend it. Sadly people need to take a course in empathy and compassion. • Mary M., This was a very special young man. Had his whole life ahead of him. We are beyond devastated. He was my son’s best friend and roommate. We are forever sorrowful that he made this tragic decision to end his young life. We are still navigating what and why he did this. Shattering lives around him that loved him. He had a great job, a home and people who loved him. Please if you read this, reach out to your loved ones and give them a hug and offer them any assistance they may need. My son is heartbroken as is the family and us. Constantly replaying last text messages or calls to see if we missed anything. Depression is a treatable disease and sometimes people who have great egos hide it. Zach Severini was a very special young man in great physical shape. But obviously he had demons within. We are forever sorry we couldn’t stop him from this tragic ending of his precious life. We all would have gladly dragged him from that bridge. Kicking and screaming all the way to keep him safe and with us. He never gave us that chance. 💔 • Ashley B., he was one of the strongest humans i knew, both mentally and physically. Its why this is so extremely unexpected for all of us right now. He was a huge advocate for taking care of yourself mentally and physically. My dawg was a BEAST, and right now im really wishing he wasnt. Can't say enough how badly I wish his legs gave out riding up there. 09.04.25, Friends of the Pelicans, Inc., So horribly sad that no one driving by stopped to try and prevent this. • things happen fast up on the bridge. you're going 50mph+/- and see something odd, yet you are past it quickly, with really not much time to react. then what? pull over and back up? get out and run back? the man was clearly determined and by the time he got to where he stopped, he was probably up and over the fence in seconds. sadly, the surreal nature of the event would probably prevent even those willing to stop, to be too late to do anything. opinion: why people don't stop. disagreement |
|||
|
gofundme: Zach Severini was a beloved son, brother, and friend whose energy was truly unmatched.
To know Zach was to feel joy - his loud Italian humor, spontaneous backflips and splits, and
vibrant personality lit up every room he entered. He had a gift for making people feel seen
and connected, building friendships that stretched across the globe through his deep love of the
EDM community. Whether you knew him for years or met him just once, Zach’s sincerity left a
lasting impression. Now, as we face this unimaginable loss, we want to honor Zach with the celebration of life he so richly deserves. This fund has been created to help his family with the costs of the services and to ensure we can send him off in the way he would have wanted - with love, laughter, and the kind of unforgettable energy he brought into all our lives. Any donation, no matter the size, is deeply appreciated. Thank you for helping us celebrate the life of our King Xoop. Long live King Xoop |
|
08.25.25: 10:00ish pm, male, possible jump?
attempt? save? death? something else? unknown |
|
thank you, jumpnews reporter: 08.26.25, anon source, ···It was very confusing. Something about man with feet hanging off rail more than a hour earlier.··· any more info is welcome. |
08.25.25, iontb/fb,
Skyway: Expect delays northbound just south of the center span. Fire rescue and law
enforcement activity. comments: • John M., They were transported to the Hospital • Tiffany M., Passed by tonight coming back from Sarasota and saw an empty suv with windows down and 6 officers later: it wasn’t at the base; it was heading northbound and the SUV was parked on the side exactly where the netting (barrier fence) stops as the bridge begins to decline down, way before the bridge runs parallel to the water. I drove past it last night. • Lauren C., there's also a coast guard helicopter going around the bridge.  • Lauren P., you aren’t going to stop someone who’s at that point. That fence isn’t going to stop anyone. It’s a deterrent for the ones that haven’t fully committed to that decision. 08.26.25, iontb/fb, Fort De Soto: Death investigation after body discovered near the dog park /beach. Possibly related to activity last night on the Skyway Bridge comments: • Ashleigh W., This was the coast guard flight from last night that was searching, I figured someone jumped😞  • Chris S.,  |
|
facebook post, comments: 08.26.25, Chelsea B., We were driving home from st Pete around 8pm and saw a large police presence on the bridge along with police boats in the water below. 08.26.25, John M., Before jumping to conclusions there was a Sunstar Ambulance seen running Emergency from the Skyway, towards Bayfront, shortly after the Incident on the Bridge. there's almost always wild speculation about these events, often with no verification on any of it. definitely can not count on the media to follow through with even a mention. 08.26.25, John M., A sincere thanks for everything You do. As someone who has picked people up after situations like this, it normally takes a few Day's for a Body to wash up. Body has to be submerged long enough for Decomposition to take place. Once that happens the Gas in the Body allows it to become Buoyant which then allows it to float to the Surface. Wind Direction and Currents determines where it ends up. If this person did indeed Drown, it hasn't been submerged long enough to float to the top. John, just more fuel for the speculationists. thanks for the kind words. |
| 05.09.25, facebook post, on this day, 45 years ago, friday, may 9, 1980, 7:33 am, a cargo ship crashed into the skyway and knocked it down. 35 died and 1 survived the fall. |
|
04.15.25: possible jump attempt? something else? 10:00pm, male unknown |
|
thank you, jumpnews reporter: 04.19.25, Joe G., Venice, Florida, regarding: 4.15.25, Around 10 PM on April 15th, I witnessed a man in all black standing near the fence of the bridge. It’s unknown whether or not the man jumped or attempted to jump. To my knowledge, there were no empty vehicles near by. any more info is welcome. |
|
04.01.25: woman in distress incident. possible jump attempt? something else? unknown |
|
04.01.25, iontb/fb,
Skyway Bridge: Trooper from FHP out with the occupant from a vehicle along the southbound lanes of
I-275 on the Pinellas side of the bridge. Only one thru lane open at this time. comments: 04.01.25, Logan N., wasn't an accident i drove by going to manatee. It was a car with a single person they were putting on a stretcher  04.01.25, anon, Woman erratic, said she was fallen angel and also satan. Transported to hospital.  any more info is welcome. |
|
03.01.25: jumper, male, died,
body found unknown |
|
thank you, jumpnews reporters: 03.01.25, anon, Gulfport, Fl., (03.01.25, 12:15pm, male, hit water, died, body found), VHF marine radio 03.01.25, Jim P., facebook, Someone jumped and accomplished their mission today shortly after noon today. 03.01.25, Davonta H., facebook, Someone just jumped today as I was driving across, so sad😕 03.02.25, Jeremy l., Largo, fl., (03.01.25, 1:00pm, hit water, died, body found), Heard on vhf radio on the boat 03.02.25, anon, Body recovered by boater. No vehicle located. Was assumed jumper but I can't confirm. Under invest. later: There was mention of a backpack. I think with person vs on bridge but again no info yet. Hcso, sppd, pcso, and uscg all involved. later: Backpack was with Hispanic male in water. Private boat transported to marina. Sppe reported backpack next to emergency phone also. 03.02.25, Tony G., Wesley Chapel, Was driving southbound heading towards the top of the bridge a little after 12pm when 3 emergency vehicles came speeding behind as soon as they reached the top they all jumped out of their vehicles and just stared looking below. Many more emergency vehicles were coming up on the northbound side as well any more info is welcome. |
|
facebook post, comments: 03.02.25, Ricki S., they’re still able to jump with the net? 03.02.25, Mindy O., Yeah if you spend the time to climb them so it’s like one jumper now for everything 6 months instead of several a months. It works. They just kill themsleves other ways……. 03.02.25, Ricki S., Mindy, well even if it saves 1 life it’s worth it 03.02.25, Mindy O., Indeed. I may have even saved mine after a horrific divorce |