MAN JUMPS OFF RINGLING BRIDGE, SURVIVES

SARASOTA POLICE SAY A MAN JUMPED OFF THE RINGLING CAUSEWAY BRIDGE IN A SUICIDE ATTEMPT YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.  POLICE SAY THE UNIDENTIFIED MAN APPROACHED A WOMAN ON THE BRIDGE JUST AFTER 4PM, GAVE HER HIS IDENTIFICATION AND SAID HE WAS DISTRAUGHT ABOUT PERSONAL ISSUES.  HE THEN JUMPED OVER THE SIDE WHERE THE DISTANCE TO THE WATER COULD BE AS MUCH AS SIXTY FEET.  WITNESSES SAID THEY COULD SEE HIM SWIMMING AND A RESCUE BOAT WAS LAUNCHED TO PLUCK HIM FROM THE 62 DEGREE WATERS.  THE MAN WAS FLOWN TO BAYFRONT MEDICAL CENTER IN ST. PETERSBURG FOR NON-LIFE THREATENING INJURIES.  ONCE HE GETS OUT OF THE HOSPITAL HE MOST CERTAINLY WILL FACE CHARGES.