Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
Warning: Images in this post may be upsetting to some readers
Editor's note: We chose not to publish any photos
that might reveal the man's identity
Updated 8/16
Law-enforcement sources have told us that the man died from his injuries. We'll update if more information becomes available.
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After nearly 90 emotionally charged minutes early this afternoon, a man who witnesses described as incoherent jumped from the roof of a building on the north side of Fourth Street near Avenue B.
The man, who police say turned 50 today and lives nearby, survived the fall. His current condition is not known. Police did not reveal his name.
According to the Citizen app, a caller reported the man at 12:05 p.m. atop the five-story building at 229 E. Fourth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.
EVG contributor Stacie Joy arrived at the scene at 12:55 after police had cordoned off the immediate area.
During this time, a crowd gathered behind the police tape on Avenue B at Fourth Street. (The NYPD also closed Fourth at Avenue A.)
From the street, onlookers saw the man, dressed in an olive-colored shirt, khakis and blue sneakers, pace back and forth along the edge of the building. He didn't seem to pay any attention to the people below, where several bystanders shouted disgraceful comments and urged him to jump.
At some point, the man received a cigarette from the police and walked to the rooftop's edge, balanced on the precipice, and then resumed pacing. He did this several times.
When several ESU officers tried approaching him on the roof, he turned and ran, leaping off the building. He appeared to aim away from the inflatable that the NYPD deployed for him on Fourth Street.
Police officials say the man was badly injured though still alive when EMTs transported him to the hospital.
If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text TALK to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.