The musician was filming a music video at the time.
Rock legend Jon Bon Jovi was filming a music video this week when he noticed something alarming: a person standing on the ledge of a bridge. On Thursday, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department shared security footage of the musician and a production assistant approaching an unidentified woman on the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge.
Though there’s no audio, the 62-year-old is shown leaning on the side of the bridge and talking to her before helping lift her back over the railing to safer ground. They embrace in a hug before he leads her away from the area. Law enforcement later told CNN that she was taken to a local hospital for treatment and evaluation.
At the time, Bon Jovi was filming the video for the song “The People’s House” from his band’s new album “Forever.” The bridge where it was being shot happens to be in a heavily trafficked location, which remained open to the public. Then, all of a sudden, he and a production crew member spotted the woman, who police described as “distraught” in a video initially posted to YouTube before the platform took it down for violating community guidelines.
It was definitely one of those moments of being in the right place at the right time, but it’s not every day that a world-famous musician rescues someone amid a crisis. In response to the dramatic incident, police who posted the video praised Bon Jovi for showing compassion and offering a helping hand.
“A shout out to @jonbonjovi & his team for helping a woman on the Seigenthaler Ped Bridge Tue night. Bon Jovi helped persuade her to come off the ledge over the Cumberland River to safety,” the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said in a post on X.
“It takes all of us to help keep each other safe,” MNPD Chief John Drake added.
According to The Nashville Tennessean, the musician hasn’t spoken out publicity about the ordeal “out of respect for the private citizen who experienced a moment of crisis.” Still, the musician is known for his extensive philanthropic efforts.
In 2006, he started The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, which aims to “break the cycle of hunger and homelessness” by providing food, affordable housing, job training, and social services. In February, he was recognized as the MusiCares Person of the Year for his non-profit work.
“Nearly two decades ago when I formed the JBJ Soul Foundation and JBJ Soul Kitchens, I saw firsthand and continue to see today the impact of charitable community-based work. I know this for sure: helping one’s community is helping one’s self,” he said in a statement in response to the award.
Anyone contemplating suicide should contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 998. This three-digit dialing code is staffed 24/7 and will connect people in suicidal crises or emotional distress to support services.
