VIDEO: Police use backhoe to rescue man from West Seattle Bridge ledge

If you saw police under the West Seattle Bridge around 4 pm Thursday afternoon – they were involved in a rescue just detailed on SPD Blotter, with the body-cam video you can watch above. Here’s how Det. Patrick Michaud tells the story:

Some jobs call for a ladder, others call for 13 tons of steel, 127 horsepower (net, of course) and a quiet, but powerful hydraulic system.

Witnesses called 911 Thursday afternoon to report a man on a ledge in the 2600 block of SW Spokane Street.

Officers found the man standing on a ledge that they estimated to be six inches wide, occasionally slipping. Fearing for the man’s safety, Officer Morgan Irwin, whom you may remember from the time he commandeered a jetski, spotted a nearby backhoe driving down the road. Officer Irwin ran over to the driver and asked him for help.

The driver was able to position the machinery below the 48-year-old man, allowing him to safely jump inside it.

Once he was on the ground, medics took the man to the hospital for a medical evaluation.

Officer Irwin could not be reached for comment about what he planned to commandeer next.

9 Replies to "VIDEO: Police use backhoe to rescue man from West Seattle Bridge ledge"

  • proudpapa September 10, 2018 (4:12 pm)

    Awesome! I love when people think on their toes. Way to go officer Irwin!

  • Alki resident September 10, 2018 (4:47 pm)

    Everything happens for a reason. People came together to help someone in need. My heart is so happy to see actual footage of this. 

  • CeeBee September 10, 2018 (5:18 pm)

    Oh, I love the last line – please do ask him!

  • kim September 10, 2018 (5:44 pm)

    Wow!  What great thinking; kudos to all of you involved.

  • HappyOnAlki September 10, 2018 (6:08 pm)

    LOVE this! Thanks to all involved! Woo hoo!

  • steve September 10, 2018 (8:45 pm)

    quick thinking officer who doesn’t waste time. Awesome!

  • mok4315 September 10, 2018 (9:37 pm)

    Officer Irwin, you rock! 

  • T Rex September 11, 2018 (7:29 am)

    COPS ROCK!

  • Kdub September 11, 2018 (8:51 am)

    That is fantastic work! Thank you to everyone involved!

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