Nelson man survives jump off Nelson Bridge, bystander helps thwart car theft
By Nelson Daily Staff
A Nelson resident earned himself a trip to the Daily Pavilion in Trail after jumping off the Nelson Bridge Friday (March 30) just before noon.
Nelson Police were called to Lakeside Park after receiving a 911 call of a male jumping off the Nelson Bridge.
Witnesses believed the individual was approximately third of the way across the bridge span when the man was observed to climb over the railing and plummet into the lake.
Upon arriving near the Rotary dock, police found a man walking towards the shore apparently uninjured and dressedin only a T-shirt, socks and underwear.
The 28-year-old man, who is known to suffer with mental illness, was transported by ambulance to Kootenay Lake Hospital.
Once he was stabilized for shock and hypothermia the young man was transported to the Daly Pavilion in Trail for a mental health assessment.
Police arrest man after attempting to steal vehicle
Nelson Police arrested and charged Kevin Christopher Tarpley of Nelson with theft under $5000, possession of a dangerous weapon, assault with a weapon and attempt theft of auto following an early Saturday morning incident.
Early Saturday (March 31) police received a 911 call of a male attempting to steal a vehicle.
When the witness interrupted the theft, the suspect grabbed a cooler from the vehicle and began to flee on foot, spilling some of the contents from the cooler on the road.
As another witness attempted to recover the fallen items the suspect returned brandishing a machete.
He briefly but aggressively confronted that person then fled the scene.
Based on the detailed description of the suspect from the witnesses and his last direction of travel, police were able to quickly locate him and after a short foot pursuit he was taken into custody.
The stolen property and the machete were subsequently recovered.
Tarpley, 21, was to appear in Nelson Provincial Court on Monday (April 2).
