Skyway Bridge jumper survives

A woman who jumped off the Sunshine Skyway this morning was rescued and taken to O'Neill's Marina in St. Petersburg by boat. Officers from Sunstar Ambulance, St. Petersburg Fire Rescue, The U.S. Coast Guard, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Florida Highway Patrol were on the scene. [SCOTT KEELER | Times]

ST. PETERSBURG --   A 44-year-old woman jumped off the Sunshine Skyway this morning and survived.

She was rescued by personnel on a Fish and Wildlife Conservation boat. Also on board were Eckerd College students who regularly volunteer for rescues.

Ryan Dilkey, coordinator of Eckerd College Search and Rescue, said he received a call from county dispatchers at about 10:45 a.m. that someone jumped off the Skyway. Working from a list of volunteers trained for rescues, he said he assembled a team of four students within 10 minutes. One stayed on shore for communications purposes and three accompanied him in a 26-foot boat.

Near the Skyway, two of the students got onto the Fish and Wildlife boat, which soon after came upon the woman who had jumped. The students, who are trained in emergency procedures, gave her the initial medical attention. Dilkey said the woman was responsive, but disoriented.

The woman was transported back to shore and loaded onto an ambulance. Her name has not been released.

The U.S. Coast Guard also responded. A public affairs officer said the woman apparently jumped from a point that was at about half of the Skyway's maximum height.

The Eckerd College group trains for all kinds of rescues. Because of the college's location, Skyway suicide attempts are part of the training, and that includes many who do not survive.

  "I'm glad to see one rescued," Dilkey said.

   -- Curtis Krueger, Times staff writer