Woman who died after twice jumping from midstate bridge identified

(York) — A woman jumped twice from the Norman Wood Bridge in Lower Chanceford Township on Tuesday, dying after the second time, according to York County Coroner Pam Gay.

Meagan Vogt, 25, of the first block on Jonquil Road, Peach Bottom Township, died of multiple blunt force trauma, according to Gay. The death was ruled a suicide.

Vogt was seen walking on the catwalk of the bridge when she fell 15 feet to 20 feet to a sandy area, a news release states. Witnesses who saw her fall asked if she was OK. She said she was.

The woman got back up on the catwalk, walked out farther and jumped again. This time she fell about 100 feet to 120 feet. She landed on rocks below the bridge pillars.

The catwalk is underneath the bridge, Coroner Pam Gay said.

Rescue units from York and Lancaster counties were called to the bridge over the Susquehanna River just after noon when Lancaster County 911 dispatchers received information that a woman had fallen off the bridge and landed onto a pylon.

 

A woman jumped from the Norman Wood Bridge Tuesday and died, according to the York County Coroner. Gordon Rago, York Daily Record

Emergency vehicles and state troopers parked in a large lot just to the west of the bridge, an area called “Lock 12.” There are hiking trails off the parking lot, including one that goes directly under the bridge.

Further down an unpaved River Road, there are more trail heads and the Holtwood Dam over the Susquehanna River.

The catwalk is accessible, but difficult to maneuver, Gay said, adding it does not appear the woman went to the area with anyone.

As far as the witnesses, Gay was unsure if they were hikers.

“I know there were people around when she first went on (the catwalk),” Gay said. 

“Obviously, it’s a sad situation,” she said. “Our thoughts are with the family.”

Norman Wood Bridge is 180 feet at its highest point, Greg Penny, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, said Tuesday.

At 12:17 p.m., Lancaster County 911 said rescue units were just arriving at the scene. Less than 10 minutes later, a coroner from York County was called.

When incidents occur in or on the Susquehanna River, Lancaster County units traditionally have command and will then, at times, ask for help from York County.

“If they’re not in the river … If they are on dry land, they’re ours,” Gay said.

According to PennDOT, the two-lane, 21-span bridge was built in 1968 and carries on average a little more than 4,300 vehicles a day.

From Sept. 28 to Oct. 16, the bridge was closed to all traffic after inspectors found a large vertical crack in a steel girder on the north side of the bridge. The girder was repaired by bolting two steel plates over the crack, PennDOT said.

This story is part of a partnership between WITF and the York Daily Record.