Jon Bon Jovi has broken his silence on the recent incident which saw him help an allegedly suicidal woman to safety.
This incident took place back in September, when Bon Jovi was shooting a music video. Video footage showed the woman on the wrong side of a bridge guardrail in Nashville, appearing set to jump into the Cumberland River below.
According to reports, Bon Jovi managed to dissuade the woman from jumping into the water, before proceeding to share a hug with her.
The woman was helped back over the rail by Bon Jovi and his assistant, while the musician continued to talk to her until emergency services arrived.
“We’d all do the same”
Speaking to Stephen Colbert, Jon Bon Jovi was quick to play down his heroics.
“We’d all do the same”, he said.
The singer then went on to add that this incident only goes to prove that mental health issues remain prevalent.
“This lady, she was completely coherent, had all of her wits,” Bon Jovi said. “She had said to me, ‘Look at me. I’m in paper scrubs with no shoes, no phone, no money, nowhere to go. They let me walk out of the hospital.’ … She said, ‘I am not suicidal or homicidal”.
Agreeing that the woman was still in danger, Bon Jovi also added: “Obviously on the wrong side of the rail – in a situation. I spoke with her, and then the wonderful police department, fire and emergency rescue came – and a therapist came and talked to her”.
He also confirmed that the woman received further help after leaving the bridge.
“But that’s all: I was just there”, he insisted.
According to a source linked with the Bon Jovi camp, the singer had received “extensive training in speaking with individuals experiencing a crisis”, in association with the JBJ Soul Foundation, an organisation which aims to tackle hunger, and homelessness in the community.
