A Stamford man was nearly killed Thursday when witnesses say he jumped off an I-95 overpass.

A woman says she noticed the 39-year-old man looked distraught. Officials say she called police, who arrived just as the man prepared to jump onto the northbound side of I-95 traffic. According to police, an officer was able to get a hold of the man.

"He only had a few seconds and was able to swing him to the side so when he fell, he hit the grassy embankment instead of the travel portion of the highway, which we think saved his life," Stamford Police Lt. Sean Cooney says.

After falling, police say the man's attempts to move into traffic were unsuccessful. He was taken to Stamford Hospital with several broken bones.