Naked man rescued after bridge jump

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The co-pilot of a police helicopter rescued a naked man who had jumped from a bridge into the Mississippi River south of St. Louis.

It happened late Sunday, just before midnight. St. Louis County Police Sgt. Tracy Panus says someone who lives near the Jefferson Barracks Bridge called after hearing a man's screams.

The police helicopter used its spotlight to find the man in the river. The man had apparently decided against killing himself and was trying to swim to shore.

Panus says the helicopter swooped down near the water, and the co-pilot was able to grab the man and pull him in.

The man is hospitalized for hypothermia. His name and condition weren't released.

Panus isn't sure why he was naked or why he jumped.