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Golden Gate Bridge hits record 46 suicides in 2013
Published time: February 26, 2014 10:09
http://rt.com/usa/suicides-bridge-record-golden-810/
The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California (Reuters / Robert Galbraith)
San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge has seen a record-breaking level of ‘jumpers’ in 2013, with 46 people ending their life, according to a watchdog group. This is 1.5 times higher than a year before.
The Bridge Rail Foundation urged the authorities to install a safety net to prevent further escalation of the suicide rate at the 1,280-meter bridge, which towers more than 65 meters over the entrance to San Francisco Bay.
However, the Foundation doesn’t hope for the government’s reaction any time soon.
"I know it won't be built soon, and that's the most frustrating thing about this," Dayna Whitmer, board member with the organization, told Reuters.
"We hate to see any more 17-year-olds jump or 86-year-olds jump, it's just not right," she added.
The authorities have been planning to set up a special safety net to catch people who jump. However, $66 million are needed to build the construction. Three years ago, a company was given $5 million to design the safety net.
The previous record of suicides is believed to have been 40 or 41 fatalities in one year, Whitmer said.
The total number of those who died by jumping off the bridge remains unknown, partly because there were almost no records of the suicide rates, and also due to the fact that some bodies are never found.
Whitmer's 20-year-old son, Matthew, is believed to have committed suicide off the Golden Gate in 2007 after he was reported missing and the car he drove was discovered near the bridge, she told Reuters.
Initially, the information on the casualties came from the spokeswoman for the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District, Mary Currie, who has been keeping an unofficial count of suicides since 2000.
Currie also said that police officers or others stopped another 118 people from jumping to their deaths. To stop the people from ending their lives, there are bicycle patrols, plus two to four officers on the bridge’s sidewalks, according to California Highway Patrol spokeswoman Andrew Barclay, as cited by Reuters.
In 2012, the number of suicides stood at 33.
Er it's really high up. But that's local journalism for you I guess. It's a bit tasteless really? Trying to get a ghost story out of a place that lots of desperate people kill themselves at. "Too soon" as they say."What is it about this place that people want to end their lives?"
The Vessel in New York City closed after third suicide at tourist attraction
The 150-foot set of spiraling staircases is now off-limits as operators consult with suicide-prevention experts.
Operators of a towering New York City tourist attraction closed the structure until further notice this week following multiple suicides at the site. ...
The Vessel in Hudson Yards on the far west side of Manhattan has been the scene of three deaths by suicide since it opened last year, the most recent occurring on Monday, the New York Times reported.
And now operators of the 150-foot set of spiraling staircases will close it while they consult with suicide-prevention experts, NBC New York reported on Wednesday. ...
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/new-fence-at-the-gap-just-not-high-enough-20110625-1gklq.htmlA FENCE built to deter jumpers at the infamous suicide spot The Gap could be climbed with ease by ''people in a desperate situation'', warns the woman who campaigned for it.
Dianne Gaddin lost her daughter Tracy at The Gap 5½ years ago and has since spent years lobbying for new safety measures along the rugged stretch of Sydney coastline.
You look for the number at top right of the post and quote that or summat.The escarpment at Halls Gap, Victoria, is also famous for suicides. I had a weird experience there which I mention in the "Odd bit of road" thread. If I can work out how to quote from another thread I'll repost it.
I've had a similar cliff edge/escarpment experience at "Hall's Gap" in Victoria, Aus. Beautiful place but on approaching the edge I had an overwhelming feeling of wanting/having to jump. It was so strong I had to get down on my hands and knees and explore. The need to jump came in waves and I was shaking a little. That evening around the fire our guide told us that the place was famous for suicides.
In Sydney, Australia there is 'The Gap' a beautiful cliff side look out on the South Head penninsula in the suburb of Watson's Bay.
It's fenced off, but according to this Sydney Morning Herald article from 2011, some 50 people still take their lives there each year.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/new-fence-at-the-gap-just-not-high-enough-20110625-1gklq.html
Thanks for the hint Scargy but it was easier than I thought. Here it is.
Reminds me of the suicide prevention measures installed at a number of tube stations on the london undergroundWithin the last couple of years new fences have been erected along railway tracks at British stations where access to tracks used to be open.
They are tall, sturdy metal structures. You'd need a roofer's ladder to scale one.
The idea is to prevent general trespassing/theft/vandalism issues which cause delays and danger and cost a fortune.
However, when I saw one being put up I was told it was actually a 'suicide barrier' and all stations are getting them.
L'appel du vide!
Yup, that one's Westminster. I'd assumed it was a security measure because it's so close to Parliament.Reminds me of the suicide prevention measures installed at a number of tube stations on the london underground
View attachment 33953
A lot (all?) Jubilee line stations have these barriers.Yup, that one's Westminster. I'd assumed it was a security measure because it's so close to Parliament.
According to the press they are definately suicide prevention measures copied frim the St.Petersburg underground network.Yup, that one's Westminster. I'd assumed it was a security measure because it's so close to Parliament.
A lot (all?) Jubilee line stations have these barriers.
Update ... The Vessel is reopening with added suicide prevention measures, including a requirement that no one will be allowed to explore the structure alone.The recently opened 'Vessel' attraction in New York City seems to attract suicides. It's been closed while operators consult with suicide prevention experts.
FULL STORY: https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/26/us/v...-reopening-suicide-prevention-trnd/index.htmlThe Vessel in New York is reopening, focusing on suicide prevention after three young adults took their own lives there
One of New York City's newer tourist attractions is reopening to the public with a focus on suicide prevention after three young adults took their own lives there over the last year.
The climbable, 150-foot-tall staircase, known as the "Vessel," located at Hudson Yards in Manhattan, closed for visitors in January after a 21-year-old man wanted for questioning in a deadly stabbing in Texas jumped to his death from the structure ... The man was the third person in 15 months to take their own life there ...
The Vessel will reopen with new safety measures in place, such as increased security, and buddy system and mental health resources signage.
Hudson Yards is also tripling the staff and security and "installing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline signage and messaging developed in partnership with Born This Way, an organization committed to supporting the wellness of young people, at the entrance to the attraction and on all Vessel tickets," the statement said.
So if you're thinking about going alone, grab a friend to accompany you. Visitors won't be able to explore solo, according to the new regulations. ...