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Another West Seattle Bridge suicide?

September 27, 2007 12:47 am
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   WS miscellaneous

A WSB reader e-mailed to ask about a scene on West Marginal Way Tuesday afternoon, “just under the low bridge,” involving police and what was clearly a (covered) body. No major crime investigations were under way, but we just checked the King County Medical Examiner’s latest report on recent deaths, and there’s one case that’s a potential match — a 43-year-old man listed as having committed suicide Tuesday in Seattle, with the cause of death explained as a number of injuries that would be tough to suffer all at once without having jumped from quite some height. Last bridge suicide we know of was in mid-June. If you know anyone contemplating suicide … there is a comprehensive list of suicide-prevention resources here.

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14 Replies to "Another West Seattle Bridge suicide?"

  • Selena September 27, 2007 (9:13 am)

    The man’s body landed in the drive way of our work… :(

  • Jiggers September 27, 2007 (9:31 am)

    I’m all for gating up the bridge to pedestrians. They have done that in some places in the country that had a high suicide rate of people jumping off of bridges. After they gated the bridge up, there were no more jumpers period!!

  • Ron Burgundy September 27, 2007 (9:37 am)

    WSB – This is truly a tragic event, for both his family and the people who had to see it. But I am always impressed with this blog that not only do you report on all the events both good and bad in our community, but you also take the time to research and offer information to people who may be in a similar situation and not know where to turn next. Keep it up WSB!

    To everybody else – Be Happy and stop jumping off bridges. :)

  • A.A. September 27, 2007 (10:41 am)

    We saw the medical examiner’s wagon on the bridge on Tues afternoon on the way home (4:30-ish?) and wondered if there had been another suicide. Very sad – I’ve lost more than one friend to suicide, and it never gets easier. There are a whole host of unique grieving issues that occur with the survivors, in addition to “regular” grief over loss.

    I highly recommend “Survivors of Suicide” for any family or friends who are left behind.

  • Dom September 27, 2007 (3:35 pm)

    Hmm… I see “If you know anyone contemplating suicide … there is a comprehensive list of resources here.” and thought, a list of other bridges to jump off?

  • Jeff September 27, 2007 (3:40 pm)

    Jiggers, way to throw the baby out with the bathwater! You must realize that hundreds of pedestrians cross that bridge daily and live to tell the tale. Let’s chain people to their cars. Problem solved! Maybe then they can do it in the privacy of a hotel room on Aurora where I don’t have to worry about it.
    My respects to the friends and family who’ve lost a loved one.

  • The House September 27, 2007 (8:22 pm)

    Do people understand the gravity of the situation? Local leaders need to pound the pavement and get our city officials to build barriers to stop these people from jumping. It doesn’t matter if we stop pedestrians or stop cyclists. This senselessness must stop. If you know of any other solution, feel free to share.

  • Jen V. September 27, 2007 (10:41 pm)

    a barrier will not stop someone from committing suicide. It will only stop them from committing suicide by jumping off that particular bridge.

  • Megan September 28, 2007 (2:30 pm)

    One of the most powerful movies I’ve seen – The Bridge. It’s a documentary about people who’ve committed suicide on the Golden Gate bridge. Check it out.

  • ev1 October 1, 2007 (3:45 am)

    The manhattan bridge in NY has an enclosed pedestrian/bike path. Invaluable to bikers, and jump proof.

  • Piggy October 3, 2007 (1:02 pm)

    Another jumper off the same bridge today 10/3 landed in the rocks of the side of the river. What is up with these people. This is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.

  • WSB October 3, 2007 (1:09 pm)

    We have just posted about that on the top of the main page.

  • Larry Hinze October 4, 2007 (8:39 am)

    IF THE TRAFFIC OUT OF WEST SEATTLE DOESN’T GET ANY BETTER…I MIGHT BE THE NEXT JUMPER!

  • Larry Hinze October 4, 2007 (8:49 am)

    Why talk of building barriers so people don’t jump? All one has to do is run out in front of a car-do we put rubber bumpers on all Chevy’s? Let’s throw some money down another hole.

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