Officers from the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office saved a man who was reportedly attempting suicide on the outside of the pedestrian bridge over U.S. 36 at McCaslin Boulevard in between Louisville and Superior this afternoon.

Deputies discovered a male party on the bridge’s ledge, outside the safety barriers, over the westbound lanes of traffic about 4:30 p.m., according to a news release, which added that the first deputy on the scene struck up a conversation with the man to convince him to return back into the pedestrian area of the bridge.

Officers from the Louisville Police Department, Colorado State Patrol and the Rocky Mountain Fire Department temporarily closed all westbound traffic and two lanes of eastbound traffic on U.S. 36 during rush hour until the man was safely back on the bridge.

After approximately 30 minutes, the sheriff’s deputy in contact with the individual was able to convince him to come back onto the bridge, and allowed him to be voluntarily transported to a hospital for assistance.

As of 6 p.m. traffic on U.S. 36 had been re-opened in both directions.

Anthony Hahn: 303-473-1422, hahna@dailycamera.com or twitter.com/_anthonyhahn