CHP Prevents Suicide on Cold Spring Bridge

SANTA BARBARA - On Friday, September 02, 2011 at approximately 3:27 PM the California Highway Patrol received a 911 call of a possible jumper on the Cold Spring Bridge.  A CHP Officer in the vicinity immediately responded and was on the bridge within several minutes.  Upon arriving on scene, the officer noticed a woman in tears, standing on the edge of the bridge with her hands on the railing. 

The officer stopped traffic in both directions and made contact with the woman.  As he attempted to talk her off of the railing, a retired Los Angeles Police Department Officer stopped to render assistance. 

The arrival of the retired LAPD officer distracted the woman, who turned away from the CHP officer.  Making a split-second life-saving decision, the officer quickly closed the distance and physically restrained her from jumping over the edge. 

She was detained until the arrival of CARES, a mental health responder. 

Traffic was re-opened at approximately 3:40 PM.  The identity of the woman will not be released.