Man Dies Jumping from Tappan Zee (Updated)

A man died after jumping from the Tappan Zee Bridge this morning, according to State Police in Tarrytown.

The man was identified as George Croughan, 50, from Rye. Croughan was a sales professional in the paper and publishing industry. He had recently lost his job.

Croughan abandoned his north-bound SUV and jumped from the mid-section of the bridge at 7:40 a.m. this morning according to State Police Investigator Skylar King.

Citizens on the bridge attempted to come to Croughan's aid, but were unsuccessful.

"Good Samaritans got out to help; one of them even had a hand on him but couldn't hold his weight," King said.

King said Croughan's body was recovered by divers from the Piermont Fire Department and taken to Nyack. Ice had initially hampered rescue efforts.

Police closed a lane of traffic on the bridge while they investigated the scene this morning.

It is apparently the second suicide in as many weeks. Police have still not located Wolf Aristilde, whose car was found abandoned on the Tappan Zee Jan. 3. He is also believed to have jumped from the bridge.