San Francisco Bay Bridge Approach Reopened After Man Walking On Freeway Stops Traffic
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- A person apparently having a mental health crisis forced the California Highway Patrol to temporarily block all traffic approaching the Bay Bridge from San Francisco Wednesday, authorities said.
The lanes were reopened after a couple of hours but traffic on U.S. Highway 101 northbound and on the Central Freeway headed to the Interstate Highway 80 merge was backed up solidly.
The city's Office of Emergency Services (OES) said a man wandered onto the Interstate Highway 80 at Bryant St. around 11 a.m. and cut himself across his neck.
CHP units blocked all eastbound lanes and crisis negotiators arrived to try and talk the man off a bridge ledge, the OES said.
Eastbound traffic was diverted off the bridge approach at the 4th St. off-ramp. Eastbound traffic was allowed to pass over the bridge at the Harrison St. and Bryant and 2nd St. onramps. Westbound traffic into San Francisco off the Bay Bridge was also affected.
The eastbound lanes were reopened at around 1:20 p.m. after the man surrendered. The CHP said he was safely detained with no injuries to any emergency personnel and was taken to Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital for treatment.
If you are in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (the Lifeline) at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Crisis workers are available 24 hours a day. Calls are free and confidential.
