A student at the University of Massachusetts Lowell tragically died after jumping from the Richard P. Howe Bridge on Friday, January 24, according to an email sent by the university to its community.
Reports of the incident began circulating Friday afternoon, stating that the individual had taken their own life by jumping from the University Avenue Bridge.
The incident occurred shortly after 11:10 a.m., with emergency crews from the Lowell Fire Department, Lowell Police, and UMass Lowell Police responding to the scene. Despite their efforts, they were unable to rescue the individual.
The university confirmed in the email that the deceased was a freshman from Lowell studying computer science.
“This morning at approximately 10:40 a.m., UMass Lowell police, along with police and fire crews from the city of Lowell, responded to a report of a student in the Merrimack River near the Howe Bridge at University Avenue. Tragically, the student did not survive, and the Lowell Police Department notified the student’s family this afternoon,” the email stated.
The message also noted that the incident was witnessed by several pedestrians, including members of the UMass Lowell community who frequently use the bridge connecting North Campus, East Campus, and University Crossing.
UMass Lowell extended its condolences to the student’s family and announced the availability of mental health resources for those impacted by the tragedy.