About this afternoon’s Admiral Way Bridge emergency response

We got questions this afternoon about an emergency response that brought police and firefighters to the Admiral Way Bridge this afternoon. It was over before we could get there. Here’s the SPD summary of what happened:

Officers responded to the 3900 block of SW Admiral Way overpass for a 911 call where the caller reported a male had his hands on the railing and a female was holding him back. When officers arrived on scene, the male jumped over the railing and was dangling from the bridge. The officers were able to grab the subjects by his wrists to prevent him from falling. Two community members saw what was happening and were able to grab some rope to secure the subject to the railing until more officers arrived. Once more officers arrived on scene, they were able to pull the subject back over the railing to safety. The subject was a 17-year-old missing juvenile and was transported to the hospital.

As always, when we mention suicide or an attempt, we want you to know how to get help for yourself or someone contemplating self-harm: The Crisis Connections hotline is 206-464-3222.

P.S. Southwest Precinct Lt. Dorothy Kim tells WSB that wasn’t the only incident today in which officers saved a life. They were called to the scene of an apparent drug overdose in West Seattle and arrived before SFD to find the person not breathing and without a pulse: “The officers, who are also EMTs, started CPR and subsequently administered Narcan.” That restarted the person’s heart; more CPR, and another Narcan dose after SFD’s arrival, revived them, and they were taken to the hospital.

18 Replies to "About this afternoon's Admiral Way Bridge emergency response"

  • sam-c January 18, 2021 (6:10 pm)

    What a heartbreaking day for these people, their families and loved ones.  So sorry to hear about this and hope they receive support and love from those around them. 

  • Mike January 18, 2021 (7:09 pm)

    Thank you SPD and citizens that stepped up to help.

  • Alki resident January 18, 2021 (7:23 pm)

    It takes a village. You all are hero’s and thank you for saving him. Prayers for his heart and mind. Hurts to see how young he is. 

  • L January 18, 2021 (8:04 pm)

    Thank you spd and sfd.    Maybe this will make people think twice before demonizing our police?

  • Alison January 18, 2021 (8:11 pm)

    🙏🏼❤️

  • Grateful January 18, 2021 (8:14 pm)

    Thank you to SPD & Citizens that helped save two lives today. Prayers for the hospitalized & their families. 

  • We love our police January 18, 2021 (8:35 pm)

    Thank you so much to the officers who saved two lives today. You are true heroes and we are grateful for all you do and the sacrifices you make to help save lives and protect people. Please know that despite the attacks from the fringe minority and city council on you, the majority of us give you our full support and love. Unfortunately we are living through tough times due to the lockdown imposed upon us and the life of a child would’ve been lost today if not for the heroics of the police and good samaritans. In these tough times we need the support and protection of more officers not less. More funds to the police for more officers and more training lets end this defund the police nonsense

    • CJ January 18, 2021 (11:12 pm)

      Great post and agreed!  THANKS to the Police every day, and to the individuals today that helped save a life.  🙏❤️

    • StillWantCops January 19, 2021 (5:21 pm)

      We make it a thing to wave at any SPD vehicle we see to let them know there are people who appreciate what they do. We have a friend on SPD, and he says it really helps them feel the community support.

  • WS resident January 18, 2021 (9:03 pm)

    Thank you to all those who helped this teen, potentially have another chance at life. I lived near that bridge years ago and can vividly remember a different outcome for a fellow who took his life on that bridge, I still think about him. Peace to the families of this young man. 

  • Sarah January 18, 2021 (10:39 pm)

    I am grateful for the SPDs work in these instances.  It’s nice to hear these positive events with the police. I want to believe in the good of the department. However, over the course of its actions over the last few years, there is a lot of accountability needed within the department for its treatment of people of color and allies. Defund is necessary.  

    • Gawdger January 19, 2021 (12:22 am)

      Boo.

    • Anne January 19, 2021 (7:22 am)

      So -thanks-but no thanks huh? No-defund is not necessary not one bit.

      • WSREZ January 19, 2021 (10:57 am)

        but, it is.

    • David F. January 19, 2021 (8:19 am)

      You did read the original WSB report, where in the 2nd instance the officers arrived before the FD?  That response will not happen when SPD staffing is severely reduced. 

  • Barb January 19, 2021 (12:03 am)

    All of you who are great full for SPD please send Lisa Herbold a message. Maybe next time we won’t have those brave people there to help.

  • Sillygoose January 19, 2021 (8:07 am)

    Sad that this youth feels such despair he wanted to take his own life, but thankful he was saved and no longer missing.  Praying that reuniting him with his family has years of a positive outcome in his life. Thank you SPD for all you do the stress you endure, the emotional ups and downs of your day-to-day job and for continuing to get up every morning willing to put that uniform back on!!  

  • Hummerbird January 19, 2021 (7:13 pm)

    Thanks to the female who was there and was trying to help and holding him back from jumping (and maybe called for help?). Good work. Hope all are doing better today.

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