DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — New York Police Department officers rescued a despondent woman from a narrow ledge of a luxury high-rise building in Downtown Brooklyn on Thursday, and released gripping body-cam footage of the compassionate save.
In the video, posted to X over the weekend, the crying woman can be seen clinging to the ledge surrounding an exterior deck on the 30th floor of Avalon Willoughby Square, 214 Duffield St. — one leg dangling, hair blowing in the wind.
A police officer named Nicholas holds the hand of a despondent woman on a 30th floor ledge over Downtown Brooklyn. Photo: NYPD video
“Tell my mom and dad I love them,” she begged the officers, who immediately began interacting with her.
“What’s your name? My name’s Nicholas,” said one cop, who assured her the responders cared about her.
The woman requested to go to a hospital, and Nicholas immediately assented.
“We can help you,” the officer said. “We can take you to the hospital and do whatever you want to do.”
The woman holds the hand of the NYPD’s Emergency Services Unit officer who climbed onto the ledge with her. Photo: NYPD video
When the woman agreed that Nicholas could come closer, he held her hand through an opening in the glass barrier.
Additional footage followed a member of NYPD’s Emergency Services Unit as he attached a rope to a rooftop structure, donned rappelling equipment, then climbed onto the ledge. “I’m here now,” he tells the crying woman as he stands on the ledge. “We’re going to do this together. … Whatever it is you’re going through, I will personally help you.”
The woman can be seen reaching out and grasping his hand, and after more conversation, officers pulled her over the barrier onto the deck.
Members of NYPD’s Emergency Services Unit lift the woman over the glass barrier. Photo: NYPD video
Afterward, an officer shook hands with one of the rescuers. “Good job,” he said. The rescuer exhaled a quick, “whew.”
According to police, the 911 call for a “woman in distress” came in around 1:15 p.m. The woman, age 41, was transported by Emergency Medical Services to a local hospital.
Heroism and heart from NY’s Finest.
When a woman was seated on the ledge of a high-rise building in Brooklyn, our officers quickly responded, using their training to save her life.
This is what it takes to protect and serve. pic.twitter.com/Iowo3fRBj1
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) May 9, 2026
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. (Veterans, press 1 when calling.) Or, text TALK to 741-741 to text with a trained crisis counselor from the Crisis Text Line for free, 24/7.