Firefighters Rescue Man Clinging to Overpass Sign

(Photo: SBCFD)

Update by Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office

Sheriff’s Deputies Assist Suicidal Subject On Overpass

At approximately 3:45 p.m. today, September 23, 2018, Sheriff’s deputies responded to a suicidal subject who was on the Turnpike Road overpass attempting to jump. Deputies arrived on scene and located the 48-year-old Oxnard man who had climbed the west side security fence and was on the middle of the overpass overlooking the Highway 101 southbound lane. The distraught male was sitting on the ledge of the sign supports with a piece of clothing tied around his neck and to the sign support.

Sheriff’s deputies requested California Highway Patrol shut down Hwy 101 and immediately started to speak to the suicidal subject. The male would not talk at first but deputies continued to speak to him and after approximately 20 minutes he untied the cloth from his neck and sat back from the edge of the sign support. Deputies continued to speak to him until Santa Barbara County Fire personnel arrived to assist. Firefighters used a ladder truck to help lower the suicidal subject down to safety. He was transported by American Medical Response to a local hospital for a mental health evaluation.

September is suicide prevention awareness month. If you or a loved one are having thoughts of self harm or suicide, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at (800)273-8255(TALK)

To access Santa Barbara County mental health services, please call the Access line at (888) 868-1649.

Updated by edhat staff

Santa Barbara County firefighters rescued a man who was hanging from the State Street exit sign over Highway 101 on Sunday afternoon.

At 3:52 p.m., Santa Barbara County firefighters responded to the scene as witnesses reported seeing a man climb over the fencing above the southbound freeway lanes on the Turnpike overpass. 

Santa Barbara Fire Captain Dave Zaniboni stated the crews on scene were unsure why the man was doing this but that he was clinging to the sign and hanging off it. Fire trucks shut down the southbound lanes and laddered the sign. 

A firefighter was able to secure the victim and harness him until another ladder company arrived. Upon arrival, firefighters guided the subject down the ladder with assistance to the freeway below, said Zaniboni. 

There were no reported injuries and Highway 101 was closed for approximately 30 minutes during the rescue.

By Roger the Scanner Guy

Possible Jumper on the Turnpike overcrossing from Highway 101, it’s a white male adult (WMA) approximately 55 years old.