Story highlights Children's survival "nothing short of a miracle," police say

Man had argument with his wife, took off with children in car, police say

(CNN) Two toddlers survived a 100-foot fall after their father -- possibly holding them in his arms -- intentionally jumped off an interstate bridge over a river in northern New Jersey, state police said.

The father died in the fall from the Interstate 287 overpass near the Wanaque River, authorities said.

"When the officers found the children conscious and alert, it was nothing short of a miracle, that's for sure," said Capt. Christopher DePuyt of the Pequannock Township Police Department at a news conference Tuesday.

Trees underneath the bridge near the river apparently cushioned their fall, he explained.

"I, like anybody that's hearing this story now or last night, if you hear the beginning of the story you're expecting the worst," DePuyt said.

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