After a guy who had scaled a bridge tower the night before finally dropped, the Hawthorne Bridge was once again accessible to traffic on Friday morning.
At approximately five o’clock on Thursday, the guy, who was later identified as 44-year-old Rashawn L. Anderson, ascended the west tower toward the 400-ton counterweight mechanism on the downtown end of the bridge, causing all traffic below to stall at the end of the workday.
Soon after, firefighters and police arrived, leaving Anderson a telephone in the hopes of making contact. Though they claimed to be utilizing the time to defuse the situation and find a safe solution, officers wearing safety harnesses managed to ascend high enough to speak with him.
In the end, Anderson was over 100 feet over the Willamette River for 16 hours.
Around 9:15 a.m. Friday, after a cold night on the windy platform, he was spotted stretching for his own descent. He was taken into custody by two patrol cars that zipped onto the span.
Although first responders first stated they thought Anderson was experiencing mental illness, it is unclear why he climbed the bridge.
He is charged with misdemeanor criminal trespass, interfering with public transit, and disorderly behavior, according to court documents.
Help is available if you or someone you know is thinking of ending their life. For discreet, round-the-clock assistance, text or call 988 or go to 988lifeline.org.
For The Oregonian/OregonLive, Zane Sparling reports on court proceedings and breaking news. You may contact him at [email protected], 503-319-7083, or pdxzane.
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