Monterey County Sheriff’s deputies and California Highway Patrol officers pulled a man to safety from the San Miguel Canyon Road overpass above Highway 101 in Prunedale on February 21 after a two-hour negotiation, authorities said.
Deputies were called at about 11:34 a.m. to assist CHP with a report of a person in crisis sitting on the bridge railing and threatening to jump, according to the Sheriff’s Office. For public and responder safety, southbound Highway 101 and nearby off-ramps were temporarily closed.
Crisis Intervention Services, the North County Fire District and American Medical Response also responded. North County Fire did not have rescue airbags on hand, and attempts to locate another agency with that equipment were unsuccessful, officials said.
CHP Officers T. Duckworth and J. Simonian, along with Sheriff’s Hostage Negotiator Deputy Osuna and Deputy Cosio, engaged the individual for roughly two hours, the Sheriff’s Office said.
As the person shifted position and looked down, appearing poised to jump, Deputy Cosio seized an opening and grabbed him. Deputy Osuna and CHP Officers Duckworth and Simonian moved in to help, and together they pulled him back over the railing.
Sheriff Tina Nieto praised the responders for their swift, coordinated actions, saying they put themselves at significant personal risk to save a life.
Crisis Intervention staff placed the man on a 5150 hold, and he was transported to Natividad Medical Center for evaluation and care. CHP is investigating the circumstances of the incident.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988, or chatting at 988lifeline.org.
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