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UPDATE: Woman rescued after jumping from HRBT bridge

Posted at 7:22 AM, May 05, 2014
and last updated 2014-05-05 10:11:31-04

A woman jumped over the HRBT bridge into the water around 11:10 p.m. Sunday night, according to State Police. She was rescued shortly after midnight.

The 58-year-old woman was rescued by the Coast Guard from the Elizabeth River near the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel.

Virginia State Police say drivers stopped when they saw the woman standing near the jersey wall.

Witnesses called police when they saw the woman jump into the water.

A state police trooper was able to spot the woman in the water and heard her scream, but lost sight of her as the current swept her away from the bridge.

Virginia State Police dispatchers also contacted Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads Command Center watchstanders at 11:20 p.m. Sunday, reporting a woman in the water.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina was diverted and a 25-foot Response Boat – Small crew from Coast Guard Station Portsmouth launched to assist.

The helicopter crew spotted the woman at approximately 12:05 a.m., Monday, and guided the small boat to her location.

At 12:10 a.m. the woman was pulled from the water by the small boat crew and taken to Willoughby boat ramp in Norfolk where she was transferred to an awaiting ambulance crew and taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

The woman was reported to be hypothermic, but in good condition.

Also involved in the search was Norfolk Fire Boat 4, officials say.

Stay with NewsChannel 3 for updates.