Man who threatens to kill self ties up traffic on Holt
Part of the Mark Clark Expressway was closed for several hours Friday night after a man threatened to kill himself on the Don N. Holt Jr. Bridge.
About 7:20 p.m., the man called dispatchers with the threat, said Spencer Pryor, North Charleston police public information officer. Soon after, police found him in a vehicle on the bridge, which spans the Cooper River between North Charleston and Daniel Island.
Eastbound lanes were closed and traffic was diverted to Virginia Avenue as the man sat inside holding a knife to his throat and wouldn't open the door for officers, Pryor said.
Police shot bean bags at the vehicle windows to gain access, Pryor said. Officers used a stun gun on the man, and took the knife from him, Pryor said.
He was taken to a local hospital, and his condition was not serious, Charleston County EMS said. By 11 p.m., the bridge was reopened to traffic.
The bridge, nearly 75 feet above the river, has been the scene of other threats.
A woman in August 2003 parked her car in the far right lane and climbed down a ladder to a narrow platform at the edge of the bridge. It took negotiators three hours to coax her down to safety.
In February 2000, a 36-year-old Charleston man was driving on the bridge with his girlfriend in the vehicle when he stopped, ran from the car and leaped over the side. His body was found nearly a month later in the water near the former Navy base.
In October the same year, a passerby watched a 34-year-old North Charleston man get out of a car and jump. Authorities found a suicide note in the car, and his body surfaced in the river about three days later.
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Comments
SomeTruthPlease (anonymous) says...
Borderline Personality Disorder is the most annoying of the disorders. Just ask anyone who had to be diverted because of this attention seeking loon.
September 13, 2008 at 1:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mrsmomofthree (anonymous) says...
Those seeking attention usually don't want to kill themselves just the attention.
September 13, 2008 at 8:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KidYendor (anonymous) says...
These bridges are killing more people than second hand bar smoke. Something needs to be done.
September 13, 2008 at 12:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Cowboy (anonymous) says...
Think one would believe a fence might help solve the few traffic tie-ups.. Nah - Too Easy..
September 13, 2008 at 12:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sixcar (anonymous) says...
at least 2 of the jumpers were efficient. They wasted no time, and inconvenienced no one.
For the others....make them pay for every dollar it costs for police and rescue to respond to the scene. Community service to boot.
But there's a better method to solving this problem...
If you are going to jump, then jump. But if you are going stall and cause a problem in the manner this guy did....make it public knowledge we're gonna toss you over the side anyway.
That ought to do it!
September 13, 2008 at 12:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyecantspel (anonymous) says...
A source from within the police dept says they found South Carolina football season tickets in his car and a Hillary Clinton 08 bumper sticker.
If people want to kill themselves, just walk through North Charleston after dark.
September 13, 2008 at 1:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
IPFreely (anonymous) says...
Sorry you were all inconvienced by this person. eyecantspel that was funny and so true.
September 13, 2008 at 2:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
katie (anonymous) says...
sixcar - that was the funniest thing I have read in a while, I totally agree
September 13, 2008 at 5:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tammirenae (anonymous) says...
how sad,...and frightening. as i read everyones comment i realize how truly heartless people have become. what if it was your child? or sibling? or father?
it is not atention seeking, it is a cry out for help..
thank god none of you were there.. as you obviously wouldnt have helped.
most of the people that are so ignorant to mental illnesses, especially depression usually have some Narcissistic tendencies.
pray..learn compassion, be grateful it wasnt a family member, and remember...everybody is not as strong as you emotionally
September 14, 2008 at 2:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
7green0 (anonymous) says...
Now Tammirenae, Perhaps you do not understand, these people would never have anyone in their family commit suicide. It is just not possible.
Life has never given them a bad hand,eveything in their lives goes just the way they planned it.
So it is the rest of us who need to toughen up. That's why they have no compassion for anyone.
September 14, 2008 at 3:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
momof4greatkids (anonymous) says...
I too am disgusted at the comments people are leaving. Having dealt with family members attempting suicide; I know how "inconvenient" it can be. Dealing with the death of a relative, friend, co-worker can be "inconvenient". Anything unplanned can be an inconvenience. All you people can do is make fun of someone in what could be his lowest moment in life?? A point where he feels that he has absolutely nothing left but killing his self? You people disgust me. I am from the north and have heard so much about "Southern Hospitality". Whatever, I cant wait to move back up north where people really are nice and its not just a myth. Disgusting....really disgusting!
September 14, 2008 at 4:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
7green0 (anonymous) says...
Southern Hospitality ......... what is that? You can't be looking for that here in the Charleston area. That left when they banned smoking in bars.
September 14, 2008 at 4:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grainofsalt (anonymous) says...
Momof4greatkids, no offense, but I'm sure some of us horrible Southerners can't wait for you to move back North either. Grab a few emotionally unstable attention-grabbers while you're at it and take 'em with you.
September 15, 2008 at 1:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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