San Diego : Mother Jumps Off Bridge With Child

A 26-year-old woman holding her 6-year-old daughter jumped off the Coronado Bridge Sunday afternoon, killing herself and leaving the girl in critical condition, San Diego police reported.

The woman, whose identity the police were withholding until they could contact her relatives, stopped her car, took her child in her arms, and leaped from the bridge shortly before 5:15, said Officer Terry Berglund.

People in a pleasure boat in the bay below pulled the child from the water, Berglund said. Harbor Police officials said they rescued the woman about seven minutes after she jumped.

According to Harbor Police Sgt. Dave Little, both the mother and child were unconscious. He said the mother was having difficulty breathing and her heartbeat was weak.

The woman died during surgery at University Hospital, the coroner’s office said. A University Hospital spokeswoman said the child remained in critical condition Sunday night.