Arrests have been made after an international student claimed two men tried to throw him off an Ottawa bridge late last night, police say.

Two officers were canvassing the eastern part of central Ottawa when they came across what they are calling an assault in progress on the Cummings Bridge around 11:50 p.m. ET Tuesday, a news release says. The bridge connects Sandy Hill and Vanier over the Rideau River.

As officers approached the scene, the 32-year-old student was able to get away. However, police said, the man returned after he realized police had made arrests.

The student told police he had been walking home when one man randomly grabbed him and tried to throw him off the bridge.

“These arrests have made our city a little safer,” said Ottawa police Sgt. Steven Desjourdy in the release.

“I have no doubt that the intervention of Det. Hussein Assaad and [Det.] Evan Hung on Cummings Bridge have prevented a member of the student community from sustaining serious injuries, maybe even death.”

Linked to Saturday assault

Ottawa police said the two detectives were in the area as part of their investigation into an alleged aggravated assault near the intersection of Rideau Street and William Street around 7 p.m. Saturday.

That night, three men allegedly assaulted a 31-year-old man and threatened to kill him, leaving him with face and shoulder injuries.

Police have charged two individuals in connection with both the bridge assault and the Saturday incident:

A 16-year-old male, who was arrested on the bridge and charged with two counts of unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of prohibited weapon contrary to prohibition order.

A 31-year-old man, who faces charges of assault, aggravated assault and mischief under $5,000.

Police said they have identified a third suspect and are working to identify a fourth.

Anyone with information is asked to call Ottawa police at 613-236-1222 or Crime Stoppers at 613-233-8477.