A cluster of calls to 911 Tuesday reported a woman standing on the guard rail of the Simon Fraser Bridge. She was noticed by motorists and other members of the public at about 9 a.m. and believed she was about to leap to her death into the Fraser River. Police were on the scene within moments.
Cpl. Dave Tyreman led the discussions between the police and the distraught woman. It was also Tyreman who negotiated a suicidal man off the edge of the Cameron Street bridge on May 20. As in that case, Tyreman's words resonated with the suicidal person, and the person came to safety.
"This one was much higher risk, in that the Simon Fraser Bridge is much higher off the water, the Fraser River has a lot more powerful water than the Nechako River and we did not yet have a swiftwater rescue team in position as we did in the first instance, " said Prince George RCMP spokesman Cpl. Craig Douglass
It was actually the fourth time in the past few weeks that Prince George Mounties have had to engage in delicate negotiations with someone intent on harming themselves. In a couple of those cases, he said, members of the police were on the brink of risk themselves in their protective actions, and in all cases the result was eventually positive.
Douglass reminded the public that help is readily available for those having emotional stress and turmoil. If you are considering suicide or are having suicidal thoughts, please contact the Prince George Crisis Centre at 250-563-1214 or 250-564-8336 (TEEN), 24 hours a day.
