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Piscataqua River Bridge reopens after 'person in crisis' is taken into custody

The closure was near the Piscataqua River Bridge, which connects the two states. Police said it was due to a person experiencing a mental health crisis.

KITTERY, Maine — Interstate 95 was closed in both directions Tuesday afternoon at the Maine-New Hampshire border near the Piscataqua River Bridge. 

The closure was due to "a person in a mental health crisis on the bridge," New Hampshire State Police said in a social media post

Just after 1 p.m., state troopers assigned to Troop A barracks responded to the scene on I-95 southbound near mile marker 16 in Portsmouth for a report of a single-vehicle crash, according to a press release from the New Hampshire Department of Public Safety.

"Callers indicated the driver of the vehicle involved walked away from the crash scene and then appeared like they may jump from the bridge," the release stated. "Troopers with the State Police Crisis Negotiation Unit (CNU) responded to the scene and negotiated with the
person in crisis before the person was safely taken into custody."

Officials said the person in crisis was transported to an area hospital for a mental health evaluation.

The Portsmouth Police Department and the Portsmouth Fire Department assisted troopers at the scene.

Maine State Police posted on social media stating the bridge was reopened around 3:18 p.m.

Maine State Police assisted the New Hampshire State Police at the scene.

This story may be updated as NEWS CENTER Maine learns more.

UPDATE: Both lanes on the bridge have reopened and traffic has begun to flow.

Posted by Maine State Police on Tuesday, December 3, 2024

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