Friday, 29 June 2012 11:48

Y-Bridge Fence Fails To Prevent Suicide Featured

Written by  Larry States
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The Summit County Medical Examiner's Office and the Akron Police Department are investigating the death of a 35-year old Wadsworth man after he reportedly climbed on top his vehicle and over the fence of the All-American Y- Bridge before jumping Thursday night. An autopsy is scheduled for today.

What puzzles police and Akron Engineering Bureau Manager Jim Hewitt is how the man was able to make it over new fencing installed last year that was designed to stop such suicide attempts.

Hewitt tells AkronNewsNow " When the fence was originally designed, it was designed so you couldn't climb it. Now they probably didn't take into account someone standing on top of a vehicle to get to the top of it and jump."

 Hewitt says they'll study what happened. " We're going to have to go back and we'll discuss it with Akron Police, and our designers and see what happened, and how it happened, and if there's any modifications we can make. We'll go back and see what the elevation of the fence is versus the elevation of vehicles, and try and evaluate what type of vehicle was used and how the person that jumped last night, how they did it,"says Hewitt.

The city of Akron spent nearly $10-million to install the fences to prevent a growing number of suicide jumps from the span.

Editor's note 4:30 p.m.: The Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board of Summit County and other agencies offer assistance to individuals and families through a variety of contact methods. The ADM Board Suicide Prevention Coalition website offers resources online; calls can also be directed to 330-434-9144 or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline 800-273-TALK (8255). The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24/7 service.

 

 

Last modified on Friday, 29 June 2012 16:31
Larry States

Larry States

Larry States has been a news anchor and reporter for 36 years at radio stations in Akron and Canton, including the last 26 at 1590 WAKR. States served as News Director of WAKR for 14 years. Larry also served as news director of the former WAKR TV 23 in Akron. Larry was inducted into the Broadcasters Hall of Fame in Akron in 2004. He is currently a member of the Summit County Emergency Management Committee. An Akron native, Larry is a 1970 graduate of Hower High School and a 1975 graduate of the University of Akron. Contact Larry through the newsroom at 330-864-6397 or email at lstates@rcrg.net

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