WATCH: CHP Struggles to Save Suicidal Man Trying to Jump Off Freeway

Two Oakland CHP Officers, an off-duty Oakland Police Officer and an off-duty Alameda County Sheriff’s Deputy are being hailed as a heroes for saving a suicidal man who tried to jump off of a freeway transition last month. According to a statement released by CHP officials today, the incident occurred on the afternoon of Feb. 21 when the officer responded to a report of a Mercedes blocking a lane of the I-580 westbound to I-980 westbound transition in Oakland.

CHP say Officer Peters saw the driver of the Mercedes get out of his car and immediately try to jump off of the railing onto the SR-24 freeway.

“Officer Peters immediately attempted to grab the subject, a 47-year-old male from Carpinteria,” CHP officials said. “A struggle ensued and the man eventually was able to climb over the railing. Officer Peters was able to grab a portion of the man’s jacket and wrist and held onto him as he dangled over 70 feet above SR-24. The man continued to fight in an attempt to break free from Officer Peters’ grip as he hung. A few moments later, CHP Officer Woodworth and two off-duty officers (one Oakland Police Officer and one Alameda Sheriff’s Deputy) ran to assist Officer Peters who was still holding onto the man as he hung above SR-24. With the extra officers on scene, they were able to pull the man back over the railing and detain him while an ambulance responded. Eventually, the man was taken to a local hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.”

Oakland CHP Commander Captain Whitten expressed her feelings regarding this incident stating, “I am extremely proud of both Officer Peters and Woodworth for their actions. I would also like to express my gratitude to both the Oakland Police Department and the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department for their officers’ willingness to assist our officers in a time of need, despite the fact that they were off-duty.”

CHP officials praised the actions of all the officers involved in saving the man.

“All of us here at the Oakland CHP office are extremely proud of our fellow officers and their heroic acts which ultimately saved this man’s life,” CHP officials said.

This is not the first time officers have rescued a suicidal person from jumping off of an East Bay bridge. On February 10, a despondent man was saved after he tried to jump off of the Antioch Bridge.

Full story here:

• VIDEO: CHP Struggles with Distraught Jumper as He Dangles From Bridge

Video courtesy CHP

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