Last Updated on October 24, 2023, 5:09 am
Alex Fraser Bridge: A police incident caused a heavy delay on HWY 17.
Alex Fraser Bridge Incident- A man allegedly committed suicide at the famous Alex Fraser Bridge. According to the source, officers with the Delta Police Department and Delta Police Traffic Unit were called to the scene on the Alex Fraser Bridge. A male, age unknown, was intercepted, threatening to jump off the bridge. The authorities responded to the scene swiftly and attempted to negotiate with the man to come to the safe side of the bridge. Despite their best efforts, the male sadly jumped to his death from the Alex Fraser Bridge and landed on the HWY 17. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Several search units were deployed to locate the remains of the victim. Witnesses recall the traumatic incident they experienced seeing the body of a man by the side of the road.
Delays in traffic after the Police incident
After the incident, a large portion of the northbound lane was closed to traffic as the authorities responded to the incident, creating a major delay in the traffic. DriveBC (BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Highways info, events, and weather) wrote on X (formally known as Twitter) to inform the public.
“Northbound lane closure in effect due to a police incident. #BCHwy17 Single lane alternating traffic in both directions under the #AlexFraserBridge due to a police incident.
Expect significant delays through these corridors.”
The Traffic Advisory released a public informing message which said,
“Alex Fraser Bridge northbound lanes reduced to 2 lanes. Hwy 17 under the bridge is down to single-lane traffic in both directions. Please expect delays.”
All the lanes have been cleared for public use now.
What happened on Alex Fraser Bridge?
Several videos were circulating showing an unidentified man who jumped off the Alex Fraser Bridge and landed on Highway 17 just underneath the Alex Fraser Bridge. The incident left the community in shock. Witnesses experienced the traumatic sight of a man lying dead by the side of the road. Many videos and photos of a man lying unresponsive by the side of the road made their way to the internet, concerning millions for the general public safety and demanding the installation of suicide prevention barriers.
Advocates Stress on Suicide Prevention Barriers
Alex Fraser Bridge is not new to tragedy. Many have lost their lives by suicide by jumping off the bridge. Earlier this year, in January 2023, a man was successfully brought to safety after negotiating with the authorities for hours. In many other cases, the victims refused to heed the official’s advice and took their lives.
Alex Fraser Bridge is located in Delta, British Columbia, Canada. The bridge is not designed for suicide prevention barriers. The advocates stress the installation of suicide prevention barriers, but according to the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, the extra weight of the tall fence and the change in aerodynamics would affect the bridge’s stability.
The bridge is 2,525 meters long and stands 154 meters high (at the bridge’s towers). It connects Richmond and New Westminster with the North Delta in Great Vancouver, Canada. It is named after Alex Fraser (1916-1989), a former British Columbia Minister of Transportation.
Source: uptospeedjournalism.com
Copyright 2023 Uptospeed Journalism. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
