View Royal Fire Department’s aerial ladder truck was needed Saturday to help police safely bring a man to the ground who had been sitting on the ledge side of the Helmcken Road overpass across the Trans-Canada Highway, potentially ready to harm himself.
Just before midnight, West Shore RCMP received several 911 calls from the public voicing concern that the man, 22, was ready to do something drastic, especially given his location on the traffic bridge.
Police arrived and began talking to the man, who was reportedly resistant to talking or receiving help. Officers were able to secure the man, but due to the precarious position on the overpass, the fire department was called to provide aerial assistance.
Firefighters on the ladder used a safety harness to secure the man and allow him to be brought back over the railing to the roadside on the bridge. The man was transported to nearby Victoria General Hospital for care.
The rescue saw police block the northbound lanes of the highway for about 30 minutes while the operation took place.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
