ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Florida's Turnpike has reopened after a man threatening to jump from an overpass safely surrendered.
Video from Skywitness 9 showed a man clinging to the outside of the fence that carries Kirkman Road over the turnpike north of Interstate 4. The ordeal lasted for about an hour.
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For a time, all lanes were shut down. Video from traffic cameras showed traffic getting by in the outer lanes a short time later.
Images from travelers and traffic cameras show the man clinging to the chain link fence that is meant to keep pedestrians from climbing over the side of the overpass.
In addition to the police response, first responders brought in several tractor trailers to sit just below where the man was hanging.
Police eventually convinced the man to safely step down to safety.
Turnpike closed in both directions at mm 260. In Orlando. Man on the overpass in distress. #truckerstotherescue pic.twitter.com/uBcmScbWlE
— FHP Orlando (@FHPOrlando) August 28, 2018
UPDATE: Subject is safely down off of the Kirkman Road overpass to the Florida Turnpike.
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) August 28, 2018
Drivers and others in the vicinity: Please be patient - we are getting you moving.
Special thanks to the truck drivers that assisted us out there! pic.twitter.com/F6x3e3ukSC
All lanes on the Turnpike are back open. Distressed male came off the bridge, on his own.
— FHP Orlando (@FHPOrlando) August 28, 2018
Once again, we want to thank these truck drivers, who lined up their rigs on the Turnpike under the overpass while OPD Crisis Team members worked to successfully talk the man down safely. pic.twitter.com/hSEbw17D3y
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) August 28, 2018
Police have not released any other information.
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, contact the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.
Location where the situation unfolded:
Cox Media Group
