Man jumps from Foresthill Bridge
Authorities say 29-year-old not a BASE jumper
The body of a 29-year-old male was recovered at the bottom of the Foresthill Bridge Sunday. Several witnesses reportedly watched the man jump from the bridge at about 1:40 p.m. in what officials ruled a suicide, according to Scott Liske, state park ranger with the Auburn State Recreation Area. The man’s identity had not been released as of Monday morning pending notification of next of kin. Liske said state parks rangers along with Sheriff’s Office deputies searched for the body in an area of brush and vegetation on the south side of the bridge for a few hours. Eventually, a mountain rescue team from the Placer County Search and Rescue division was called in and located the fallen man at about 7 p.m. “This area was very steep,” Liske said. “Through their expertise, equipment and skills (the rescue team) scaled down the side and were able to locate the body.” A California Highway Patrol helicopter then airlifted the body out of the canyon area. Liske said witnesses had reported that they thought the man was a BASE jumper and asserted that they saw a parachute. However, Liske said no parachute was found nor was there any jumping gear recovered when they found the man’s body. Authorities believe that the man drove himself to the bridge in a car registered under his name. They are not sure how much time elapsed between when he arrived and when at least four people saw him jump, Liske said. Liske said state parks officials estimate this is the 54th death from jumping off the 730-foot-tall bridge located above the North Fork of the American River. The Journal's Jenifer Gee can be reached at jeniferg@goldcountrymedia.com or post a comment.
|
Change Location:
|
How many people have jumped since the phone was installed, and how many have used the phone to save themselves?
Yikes, I was going to hike to the Clementine dam with my grandaughter yesterday and we got sidetracked. We would have been travelling towards Clementine earlier than this incident but the return could have put us at the bridge around that time, maybe a tad later.
Sad to see people lose all hope and do this kind of thing.
RIP
Understanding and Helping a Suicidal Person- Suicide Prevention
A suicidal person may not ask for help, but that doesn't mean that help isn't wanted. Most people who commit suicide don't want to die - they just want to stop hurting. Suicide prevention starts with recognizing the warning signs and taking them seriously.
If you think a friend or family member is considering suicide, you might be afraid to bring up the subject. But talking openly about suicidal thoughts and feelings can save a life. Speak up if you're concerned and seek professional help immediately! Through understanding, reassurance, and support, you can help your loved one overcome thoughts of suicide.
The mission of SAVE is to prevent suicide through public awareness and education, reduce stigma, and serve as a resource to those touched by suicide
.http://www.save.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&page_id=FE82048E-E081-2F43-D41A421E837F4ABB
* Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). This is a confidential source of help available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and staffed by trained phone counselors.
* Go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
* Call 911 or the emergency number of your local police.
* If someone you know is suicidal, get help immediately and stay with the person until he or she gets help.
Sad, my condolences to the family hopefully AJ will give us more when it becomes available.
Sad that he had no other solution. It was something I had never seen before. My famliy and I was driving home from Foresthill that afternoon. When I saw a man standing alone something didn't seem right. I turned my head and thats when I saw him throw himself over. If only we were going the other way we could have stopped to help. I am sorry for the famliy. I hope they can find some kind of understanding.
I was thinking about your comments, Blueyeswheeler. Here is some stuff I read on the internet about witness suicide by stranger. There was nothing you could do because by the time you figured out what was happening the person jumped. You were driving in the opposite direction. Experts say there is pain and scars even if the witness is a stranger. Anguishing about the what maybe could happen if the witness had only been able to help in some way. Many witnesses have called suicide prevention hotlines to help them through the aftermath. It is upsetting to watch the last moments of someone's life that are so serious and final. Sometimes the police officers involved in the case have been helpful. Knowing some of the facts of the case can help the person realize that it wasn't their fault.
One person commented, "I try to use this kind of experience as a reminder to myself of how fragile people sometimes are, and how much little things can matter to another person in a time of need". They say suicide can hurt a great many more like outsiders. So accept any feelings you have about this experience.
I would never wish this experience on anyone. Hope you find a way to heal.
I know this young man, and I know his family, all who have been my heart's delight for two decades. They are people already ripped with grief and tragedy, including the imbalance of this dear person's biological chemistry. And this is the point to which I feel compelled to comment here.
Please do not think you can cure mental illness by "correct" action; that you can somehow "if only" in such circumstances. You can't. If you had stopped him that day there would have been another. There are, I'm sure, certain circumstances in which you can affect change. This was not one of them. His actions appear reckless, but that is a superficial view of this particular young man. Whoever believes "god never gives us more than we can handle" has more to learn and truly comprehend about mental illness and chemical disorders.
This lovely and brilliant young man was beyond all of us once his illness took hold. Once it did -- several years ago -- he was outside, alone, a place we could not follow, a world we could not enter or inform let alone change. He was already lost to us, our powers to affect him rendered useless. A Heartbreaking Truth for all who know and love him, or anyone so stricken.
If we truly feel compelled to do something -- for him, for his family, for anyone in need of better angels, here's a simple action we can take to affect change: visit The National Association on Mental Illness to read, learn, and donate: http://nami.org
Dearest G -- …
I am very familiar with nami. Usually people are well managed when on their medication. Did he stop taking his medication?
Dearest G.
Even during most difficult times you reach out to help/comfort Blueyeswheeler. To share painful knowledge about your cherish young man to help another person deal with witnessing his suicide. You are so caring.
I know there are no words to heal the big hole in your heart.. He was "alone, a place we could not follow, a world we could not enter or inform let alone change. He was already lost to us, our powers to affect him rendered useless. A Heartbreaking Truth for all who know and love him, or anyone so stricken".
Leo Buscaglia said, "God's gift to you is life itself. What you do with it is your gift to God.""God received an extremely precious and beautiful gift this week", Dearest G's young man . Leo Buscaglia had the copyright on love and was inspired in his calling by the suicide of one of his students. "Find the person who will love you because of your differences and not in spite of them and you have found a lover for life." "Life is our greatest possession and love its greatest affirmation." I always felt Leo knew what was important in life. He is my favorite author. Dearest G.and family you cherish this young man who was your heart's delight for 2 decades. You affirmed his life and worth with your love. I am so sad that someone the same age as my own son was here for such a short time.
Dearest G.
Even during this most difficult of times you reach out to help and comfort Blueyeswheeler. To share painful knowledge about your cher
How sad. Makes one wonder why Placer Mental Health is only open one day per week. During these times of hardship and stress, I'm afraid we will see more of this.
My heartfelt condolences.
higher guard rails could keep people in and maybe video monitors for suspicious walkers.