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Hope RCMP officers rely on training to help person in distress

The Fraser Bridge was closed for 30 minutes May 9 as the person hung precariously over the railing
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The Fraser Bridge in Hope was shut down for around 30 minutes May 9 as RCMP and other responders intervened to help a ‘person in distress.’ (Google Earth screenshot)

Warning: This story contains information about suicide that may be distressing. If you need support, call the Crisis Centres Canada 24-7 hotline at 1-833-456-4566.

RCMP officers intervened to stop a potential suicide attempt May 9.

Police received a report of a ‘person in distress’ around 1:20 pm and arrived to find a person hanging over the railing of the Fraser River Bridge.

The bridge was closed and officers started talking to the person. A support worker from the Hope and Area Transition Society arrived to help, and members from local search and rescue, Emergency Health Services and Rescue Canada were also at the scene.

After about a half hour, the person climbed back onto the vehicle side of the bridge and was taken to hospital.

“This situation highlights the seriousness of mental health issues in the community and the inter-agency cooperation that is required to address the high-level concerns,” said Hope RCMP Staff Sgt. Dwayne Farlin, adding that all frontline police officers are trained to deal with this type of emergency situation and utilized their training to de-escalate the person in distress.

“Resources from other RCMP units were requested and were available to respond, if the incident escalated,” he noted.


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eric.welsh@hopestandard.com

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Eric Welsh

About the Author: Eric Welsh

I joined the Chilliwack Progress in 2007, originally hired as a sports reporter.
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