next time, just give the a-hole a shove.

[KG]

Suicide threat paralyzes Skyway bridge traffic for hours
By JAMIE THOMPSON
Published July 7, 2004

Traffic stalled as Skyway closes

ST. PETERSBURG - Michael Geraci passed the toll booth on the Sunshine Skyway bridge about 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, headed home for spaghetti and meatballs.

Instead, he and thousands of drivers were stuck in traffic for nearly four hours until Hillsborough sheriff's deputies were able to coax a suicidal man off the bridge.

"This is horrible," Geraci said about 9:30 p.m. "There are elderly people out here, stuck in the 90-degree heat."

Thousands of people jammed telephone lines at the Florida Highway Patrol, angry about Hillsborough deputies' decision to close down most lanes of traffic to deal with the potential jumper.

People were sweaty, hungry and thirsty, and dozens began walking toward a rest area on the bridge to use the restroom, Geraci said. Men climbed on top of pickups, trying to catch a glimpse of activity on the bridge.

"No one came to help, to give water, or even to tell us what was happening," Geraci said. "That's the most disheartening part of this whole ordeal."

Hillsborough deputies shut down traffic on the Skyway shortly after 5 p.m. when a man threatened to plunge 197 feet off the southbound side of the bridge into Tampa Bay. He was taken into custody about 9:15 p.m. and referred to counselors.

But during the drama, all southbound lanes were shut down about 31/2 hours, and one northbound lane was closed, said Debbie Carter, spokeswoman for the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

The FHP was not happy about closing so many lanes of traffic.

"It's absolutely a fiasco out there," said FHP spokesman Larry Coggins. "That's why we didn't want the bridge closed."

http://www.stpetersburgtimes.com/2004/07/07/Tampabay/Suicide_threat_paraly.shtml

[Angelus]

1. I agree, man.

I would've shoved the asshole off the bridge.

[HEyHEY]

2. Come on guys

When someone's been up for five days contemplating killing themselves for whatever reason. Does it matter that you aren't getting your meatballs?

[oxymoron]

5. Agreed

OMG, people were hungry, thirsty, and inconvenienced for a few hours because they were trying to save a mentally ill persons life? I can't believe how self-centered and callous we have become.

[KG]

3. this bridge is only 10 miles from where i live, there's no alternate route

hopefully they'll let the FHP handle it next time, they know what theyre doing.

[ornotna]

4. That sucks

Glad I was working in Cape Coral today. I cross the Skyway at least 4 times a week.