CHP Talks Man Out Of Jumping Off I-80 Freeway Overpass Into Traffic
BERKELEY (CBS SF) – There were some intense moments Saturday morning before CHP officers talked a man out of jumping into traffic from a busy highway overpass in Berkeley, according to the CHP.
The incident was reported on I-80 at the University Avenue over-crossing around 11:15 a.m., according to Officer Sean Wilkenfeld.
"We got multiple calls of a man standing on the outside that looked like he was going to jump," Wilkenfeld said.
Officers were dispatched to the scene, and they successfully talked him down. He was subsequently transported to a medical facility for a psychological evaluation, according to Wilkenfeld.
This is the third such instance involving a potentially suicidal subject on a freeway overpass, Wilkenfeld said, and it's something they've trained for.
"We do have an advanced level of training for mental illness and suicidal subjects, and that's within the last two years," Wilkenfeld said.
Here are some of the warning signs of suicide:
Talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself;
Looking for a way to kill oneself, such as searching online or buying a gun;
Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live;
Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain;
Talking about being a burden to others;
Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs;
Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly;
Sleeping too little or too much;
Withdrawing or feeling isolated;
Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge;
Displaying extreme mood swings.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) to be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area, anytime 24/7 or locally, go to www.SFsuicide.org or call (415) 781-0500.
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