Law enforcement officials in Monterey County rescued a possibly suicidal man who was threatening to jump off the San Miguel Canyon Road overpass on Sunday.
According to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to assist the California Highway Patrol for a report of a suicidal individual on the San Miguel Canyon Road overpass above Highway 101 at approximately 11:34 a.m.
Southbound Highway 101 and associated off-ramps were temporarily closed For the safety of the public and first responders.
Personnel from Crisis Intervention Services, North County Fire District, and American Medical Response (AMR) also responded to the scene. North County Fire did not have rescue airbags available and attempts to locate an agency that could provide them were unsuccessful.
CHP Officers and MCSO hostage negotiators attempted to negotiate with the man for approximately two hours.
Despite their efforts, the individual remained on the railing.
A deputy grabbed the man when he repositioned himself as if preparing to jump and began looking down while praying, and he and a CHP officer pulled him back over the railing.
Sheriff Tina Nieto commended the deputies and CHP officers for their swift and courageous actions, noting they placed themselves at significant personal risk to save the life of a person in crisis.
Crisis Intervention staff placed the man on a 5150 hold, and he was taken to Natividad Medical Center for evaluation and care.
The California Highway Patrol is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
