The Brick Township man who jumped to his death from the Tunney Bridge over Barnegat Bay before dawn Monday appeared despondent to the Toms River patrolman who spoke briefly with him seconds beforehand, say township police.

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Robert Johnston, 28, had a brief conversation with Officer Michael Browne and then leaped without warning, according to information released this afternoon.

Initial reports early Monday indicated that the incident had unfolded on the adjoining Mathis Bridge, lower to the water level.

Browne had responded to a report of a man sitting on the sidewalk at the bridge at 5:06 AM. Police say that officers threw flotation devices into the bay immediately but lost sight of Johnston in the darkness before sunrise.

New Jersey State Marine Police, the Coast Guard and East Dover firefighters joined the Toms River Police Marine Unit in the ensuing search. Johnston was recovered at 6:18 AM, but resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, police said.

The Ocean County Medical Examiner will determine whether an autopsy is necessary. Police offered no information or speculation about contributing circumstances that might have influenced the incident.

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