A Woman Miraculously Survives A Fall From the Empire State Building!
The Empire State Building is an iconic symbol of New York City’s skyline. Standing at 1,250 feet, it’s a marvel of human engineering. But it’s also been the site of numerous tragedies. Many people have jumped from this skyscraper in desperate attempts to end their lives. Over 30 such incidents have been recorded, and most ended in death. But one story stands out—an incredible tale of survival. Elvita Adams is the only person to jump from the Empire State Building and live to tell the tale. Let’s have a look at how she survived the jump.
The Jump of Elvita Adams
Elvita Adams was 29 years old and lived in the Bronx. Life had been hard for her as she had lost her job. She tried to make ends meet with welfare checks of just $100 a month. Elvita couldn’t pay her rent, and her landlord was threatening to evict her and her 10-year-old son. Overwhelmed by her financial struggles and in a deep depression, Adams felt like she had no way out. On December 2, 1979, she made a decision to end her pain. She went to the Empire State Building with the intention of ending her life.
That evening, she stood on the observation deck of the Empire State Building’s 86th floor.
“They were so pretty, I wanted to reach out and touch them.”
Elvita Adams recalled seeing the lights of Manhattan.
In a state of despair, she climbed over the fence surrounding the platform and jumped.
Elvita wasn’t the first person to attempt suicide from the Empire State Building. The building, completed in 1931, had been the site of many similar tragic events. The first recorded jump occurred in 1931 before the building was even finished. In 1947, Evelyn McHale’s death became infamous when a photographer captured the moment after she jumped, landing atop a limousine. Her death was dubbed “the most beautiful suicide.” However, Elvita’s attempt was far from beautiful and ended up being miraculous.
The Miraculous Survival by the Wind
Something extraordinary happened during Elvita Adams’ fall. She leaped from the 86th floor, and a strong gust of wind, blowing between 23 and 38 miles per hour, caught her in mid-air. This gust of wind pushed her back toward the building. This caused her to land on a small ledge on the 85th floor, just one floor down.
A security guard named Frank Clark heard Adams moaning from the ledge. Realizing someone was in trouble, he reached out of a nearby window and pulled her to safety. Adams had survived a fall from one of the world’s tallest buildings. She was taken to Bellvue Hospital with severe pain, likely from a broken hip or pelvis, but she was alive.
“All I remember is the pain, I was in so much pain that I wasn’t afraid.”
Elvita later reflected on the moment, saying.
She also admitted that she wasn’t sure if the wind had pushed her off the building or saved her. The weather had played an unlikely but life-saving role in her survival.
Recovery and Reflection
After her fall, Elvita Adams was placed under psychiatric care at Bellvue Hospital, where she recovered from her injuries. The hospital spokesperson said she was in “satisfactory condition,” but Adams’ pain was both physical and emotional. Police officer Joseph Bay confirmed that her jump was a suicide attempt, noting that she had to climb over the fence to make the leap. This tragic decision was the result of a long period of struggle and mental health issues, made worse by her financial situation.
The media covered Elvita’s story in local newspapers, but the public was left wondering what happened to her after her recovery. The truth remains unclear. In 2011, a one-woman play titled I’ve Been Elvita Adams was produced, imagining a future where Adams became a stand-up comedian after her near-death experience. While this was likely fiction, it’s a testament to how her survival left a lasting impression on people.
Conclusion
Elvita Adams’ survival is nothing short of miraculous. A leap from one of the world’s tallest buildings, a gust of wind, and the quick actions of a security guard turned what could have been a tragic end into an unbelievable story of survival. Her story highlights the fragility of life and the fine line between despair and hope.
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