First responders safely remove someone off Sugar Creek Bridge

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - Interstate 85 was temporarily shut down overnight after an individual appeared ready to jump off Sugar Creek Bridge.

The person, as seen in a black-and-white video, was on the bridge. Also seen were two other people speaking to the person, apparently to persuade the individual not to jump.

In the distance, there were surrounding emergency response vehicles that were blocking the interstate.

Officers were seen talking to the individual. Then, 20 minutes later, the individual was seen climbing back over the railing and walking to the ambulance.

Medic confirmed to WBTV they did transport someone to the hospital as a precaution.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department does have a Crisis Intervention Team that has officers trained in these types of calls. WBTV reached out to CMPD overnight to see if any members of that team were involved in this call.

Ebony Rao is with Mecklenburg County’s Crisis Intervention Team. The team and its partners work with law enforcement officers and other responders who are seeing more cases like this one.

“I think many people in our community are hurting. We know that before COVID it was a thing that many people struggled with mental illness, with depression, and since COVID those issues have been exacerbated,” Rao said. “I would just say that for anyone who is struggling with mental health issues, for any family member who knows that they have a loved one, a child, a sibling, even a parent who may be struggling, that there is help. 988 is a resources that is fantastic for people to dial from any phone and contact someone who can help them through a crisis, but you can also call 911 and ask a CIT trained officer to respond to help you and your family.”

If you or anyone you know is suffering from a mental health crisis or simply needs someone to talk to, you can call 988 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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