Operation to talk man down ends just before 10am, following major disruption to peak-hour traffic

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

A man who climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge, bringing traffic to a standstill, has been brought down safely.

Shortly before 10am on Wednesday, the man, who is believed to be known to police, climbed down from a cross beam of the bridge where he had been since around 4.30am on Wednesday. He was taken into police custody.

Earlier the man had climbed from his seat in the centre of the beam overhanging traffic, but turned around. He yelled at police and media for several minutes before climbing back.

7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) Sydney Harbour Bridge: A man has illegally climbed the southern arch of the bridge. Some lanes closed in both directions due to the police operation. Lengthy traffic jams both sides of the bridge. Live updates on @sunriseon7. https://t.co/jKxA4LcbjG #SydneyHarbourBridge #7News pic.twitter.com/evMrLI0p36

The 44-year-old man was handcuffed and brought to road level where he was taken in a waiting ambulance and transported to St Vincent’s hospital.

The New South Wales police superintendent, Michael Fitzgerald, said the man was known to police and climbed the bridge due to a “family issue”.



“He has got significant mental health issues, which hopefully the expertise of St Vincent’s hospital will address those this morning,” Fitzgerald told reporters in Sydney.



Police were very concerned about the man’s safety during Wednesday’s incident.



“We were concerned that he was going to harm himself but also we were concerned about what harm could have been occasioned to innocent members of the public driving underneath him,” Fitzgerald said.

More than 20 emergency services workers, including police, police rescue and paramedics were in attendance during the major police operation.

Several lanes were closed during the peak-hour rush, with traffic reportedly banking up 20km in some areas.

The man was wearing a tracksuit, a cap and fingerless gloves. The Nine network reported he left a bicycle in the middle of the road before making the climb.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Police block off lanes on the Sydney Harbour Bridge after a man climbed the structure at 4.30am on Wednesday. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Motorists were urged to avoid the area. Trains across the bridge continued to run as normal.

Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge is illegal unless authorised.

• In Australia, crisis support services can be reached 24 hours a day at Lifeline 13 11 14. In the UK, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255.