FREDONIA, N.Y. -- Kevin Hines, who survived a desperate jump off of the Golden Gate Bridge, shared his emotional story at SUNY Fredonia, including what led up to his darkest moment, his immediate regret, and how hope lives on.
"To instill a glimmer of light through a darkened tunnel so that someone can hear my story and say he went through hell, and he's fighting to live and commit to life, maybe, maybe I can too," said Hines.
Hines had battled paranoia and hallucinations since the 8th grade. In 2000, just two weeks after a diagnosis of bi-polar disorder, he boarded a bus for San Francisco. Then 19, he attempted to commit suicide by jumping off the landmark bridge, falling 25 stories at 75 miles an hour in just four seconds.
"Upon the millisecond that my hands left that rail, and my feet cleared it, instant regret for my actions. The absolute recognition that I just made the greatest mistake of my life and it was too late," said Hines.
More than 2,000 people have died after jumping off the bridge since it was built about 80 years ago, or about one person every week to 10 days. Hines is the 26th jumper to survive the fall, but he barely made it.
"Shattered my T-12, L-1 and L-2 lower vertebrae into shards like glass. I missed severing my spinal cord by two millimeters," said Hines.
Even of the people who survived, Hines was the only one to regain full mobility. Hines says he still fights the symptoms and lives in recovery everyday. He and his family have also successfully advocated to have a net installed along the bridge to prevent future attempts.
The discussion was one of many collaborative events this week to raise awareness and help prevent suicide across the county. Counselors and other local agencies were also on hand for those in need.
"It can happen anywhere, at any time, to anyone and we got to make sure that we have the supports in the community and that we're looking out for one another," said Ann Rosenthal, Chautauqua Tapestry public relations coordinator.