Brooklyn Bridge Jump: Galymzhan Abaildayev Survives Naked Leap, Arrested

On Sunday afternoon, 44‑year‑old Galymzhan Abaildayev scaled the north tower of New York’s Brooklyn Bridge, stripped off his clothes and affixed several flags, including one of Kazakhstan. He then leapt roughly 85 metres (278 ft) from the tower into the East River. Police and the NYPD Harbor Unit rescued him from the water and he was taken to NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, where he remains in stable condition.

Abaildayev has been charged with reckless endangerment, public lewdness, criminal trespass, disorderly conduct, graffiti and related offenses. The incident forced a temporary closure of the bridge’s pedestrian promenade while authorities investigated. The case has drawn widespread social‑media attention due to the dramatic video of the naked jumper and the makeshift parachute‑like fabric he held above his head.

The investigation continues as officials assess security gaps that allowed the unauthorized climb.