HollyMatkinOak Park, MI – The Michigan State Police used an innovative method to thwart a man’s suicide attempt on Tuesday morning, when they organized a group of semi-truck drivers to shorten the distance the man would fall if he jumped from an interstate overpass.
The incident began at approximately 1 a.m., when emergency personnel received a report that an unnamed man was threatening to commit suicide by jumping off of an I-696 overpass, WWJ reported.
State Police troopers first closed the eastbound lanes, as they began asking semi drivers to park beneath the overpass, WJBK reported.
Shortly thereafter, troopers closed the westbound lanes, and the big-rig drivers parked beneath the overpass there, as well.
Many of the truck drivers had been diverted from their intended path, The Detroit News reported. Some even backtracked to assist the man and police.
A total of 13 semi-trucks ultimately joined the effort, and sat side-by-side across the interstate as officers negotiated with the suicidal man.
In addition to the state police, officers from the Huntington Woods Police Department and the Oak Park Police Department aided in the effort, WJBK reported.
At approximately 4 a.m., the man walked off of the bridge, and was taken to a local hospital by Huntington Woods police officers, The Detroit News reported.
Hours later, the MSP Metro Detroit issued a statement, which included a photo of the trucks lined up across the roadway.
“This photo does show the work troopers and local officers do to serve the public,” the agency’s Twitter post read. “But also in that photo is a man struggling with the decision to take his own life.”
“Please remember help is available through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255,” the agency urged.