SPRINGFIELD, Ore. – A man who was hanging onto the overpass above Highway 126 was rescued by Springfield police and firefighters at about 8:35 a.m. Thursday.

Members of the Eugene-Springfield Fire Department eventually brought the man down in a firetruck tower ladder bucket.

The ordeal halted traffic on the busy highway for more than an hour during peak commute time Thursday morning, while the man remained hanging onto the outside of protective fencing on the overpass at Mohawk Blvd.

The incident began at about 7:15 a.m., and traffic was shut down in both directions. Springfield police asked drivers to avoid the area as they dealt with the situation.

Lt. Scott McKee of Springfield Police said the man was wearing a hospital bracelet and police believe he had been at McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center earlier Thursday morning and that he had walked away from the hospital.