The family of a man who killed himself by jumping from a Vermont bridge hopes a temporary fence being built on the bridge will prevent more suicides.
David and Regi Cooper tell Vermont Public Radio they didn't think about suicide prevention much until their 21_year_old son, Derek, jumped to his death from the Quechee Gorge Bridge in 2011. The Coopers pushed for a fence at the bridge by contacting legislators and testifying at the Statehouse.
Construction on the fence started this week after a study commissioned by the state and delays. State officials say the Quechee Gorge Bridge will include a permanent suicide_prevention fence when it is rebuilt.
David Cooper says he likes to think that he and his wife's efforts helped save one life.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
