A man miraculously survived jumping nearly 278 feet from the iconic Brooklyn Bridge in New York City into the East River. He was later arrested and charged with various offenses.
On Sunday, August 2, 2026, a 44-year-old named Galymzhan Abaildayev climbed up the north tower on the Manhattan side of the bridge before stripping naked and jumping into the river in front of people who were very surprised.
According to police, he had also placed several flags atop the bridge including the flag of Kazakhstan before making the jump. Witnesses said he appeared to be holding something above his head as he fell hoping that might slow his descent.
Despite the height of this jump, officers from NYPD Harbor Unit quickly pulled him from the water and rushed him to Bellevue Hospital where he was reported to be in stable condition.
After Abaildayev received medical treatment he was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment, trespassing, public indecency, disorderly conduct and graffiti making.
Heights of 278 feet (roughly 85 meters) above East River mean survival from jumping from such heights is very rare indeed.
Trauma specialists say falls from that height are overwhelmingly fatal and injuries usually include severe fractures, spinal trauma and damage to internal organs.
