Greenburgh town worker is believed to have died after jumping
from the Tappan Zee Bridge on Wednesday afternoon.
The search resumed this morning for Scott Uzzo, who had
worked for the Greenburgh Water Department and was a
star football player for Westlake High School.
He was driving north on the bridge in a Hyundai Santa Fe about
3 p.m. when he pulled over just before the midspan and jumped
over the railing, state police said.
“He just got out of the vehicle and went right over,” Sgt. Kevin
Flynn said. “There was no communication at all.”
Investigators said Uzzo’s brother arrived on the bridge, visibly
distraught, moments after the 24-year-old jumped.
The brother, whom officials did not name, was said to have later
been taken to the state police barracks in Tarrytown, where he
was interviewed.
Flynn, from the Tarrytown barracks, arrived on the scene within
two minutes and said he called for aviation backup as soon as
he saw the condition of the water. The request was denied
because of the poor weather conditions.
Water rescue efforts were launched from both sides of the
Hudson River. About 3:30 p.m. search and rescue boats
from the Nyack, Tarrytown and Piermont fire departments
entered the water, but their efforts were hampered by the
fast-moving current.
been taken to the state police barracks in Tarrytown, where he
was interviewed.
Flynn, from the Tarrytown barracks, arrived on the scene within
two minutes and said he called for aviation backup as soon as
he saw the condition of the water. The request was denied
because of the poor weather conditions.
Water rescue efforts were launched from both sides of the
Hudson River. About 3:30 p.m. search and rescue boats
from the Nyack, Tarrytown and Piermont fire departments
entered the water, but their efforts were hampered by the
fast-moving current.
By 4:30 p.m., state police, citing rough waters and the
approaching darkness, suspended their search.
Westchester County police, however, continued to search,
using infrared thermal-imaging equipment to scan the waters
for Uzzo, a 2005 graduate of Westlake.
Though no body was not recovered Wednesday evening,
police said the fall combined with exposure to the frigid
water temperatures would have made it difficult for anyone
to survive.
The reasons behind Uzzo’s actions Wednesday were still
under investigation, but police said he had suffered from
depression and may have been upset about losing his job.
Our hearts and prayers go out to the family and friends.
Reprinted from The Journal News
This is such a tragedy. A man so young taking his own life. I think that we are all hearing so many stories like this, especially since the economic downturn. The holidays are often a time when all our problems are magnified too. Lost of job, family problems seem insurmountable. We all need to know the signs of depression. Let's all be more loving this New Year and reach out to those in need. God bless his family!
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