SFist: Suicide In Union Square

sedgley

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:43:50 -0800

I was there that day on a last day of a week of working (doing some shopping) before returning home to the UK. I took a photo of a fire engine before looking up and realising the reason why it was where it was. I was shocked for a couple of minutes then actually disgusted about the number of onlookers captivated. I left hoping that the poor man would come down but not wishing to be there should he not want to. 20 minutes later after dropping bags off at the Hilton and venturing out I heard the shocking news of what happened. I will not go into details out of respect of the deceased man and his grieving family but what I heard and saw on said street made me ashamed to be a human being. I was not there at the end but I cannot get that day out of my mind and it will live with me. My thoughts to all of those affected specifically family and friends. Stephan Cambridge, UK.

jjoseph

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:45:59 -0800

I want to add to these comments to put a more personal note on this story. This man left behind a sister, a brother, father and mother. A girlfriend. His sister was enroute flying across the country that very day to try to prevent this tragedy. The family is in tremendous grief. They loved there brother , son, lover. please be kind with your words about others you do not know. thank you

Belgand

Sat, 10 May 2008 01:35:56 -0800

I have to say that "after the jump" line is in rather poor taste.

KatyG

Fri, 09 May 2008 14:59:57 -0800

This is very, very sad. I wish everyone who has been hurt by this, absolutely everyone, would feel better. I'm sorry that's so trite but I can't think of anything better. The mom in me just wants everyone to be happy and OK, no matter how stupid that sounds in words.

daithi

Fri, 09 May 2008 13:14:32 -0800

What a sad story, selfish or not, for somebody to make that decision to step off of the ledge makes me shudder. I hope that they have finally found some peace.

bluecanary

Fri, 09 May 2008 10:43:58 -0800

LisaLives' story perfectly points out why GG Bridge should not have a suicide barrier. Some people are just going to jump. I'd rather them jump where they'll only hurt themselves, rather than force them to find buildings to jump from, where they might take me out, as well. Not that it would have mattered in this case, but still.

daveinsf

Fri, 09 May 2008 10:29:05 -0800

Hearing about suicides reminds me of the people I knew and lost in high school and college. It's devastating for anyone who knew them. It's understandable people go through deep, deep depression, but it's so depressing to hear they never make it out. To know anyone personally that has gone the route of suicide is a very sad, introspective and humbling experience. Life is too valuable to waste, suicide is NEVER worth it. Life is a gift. I'm far from religious, but I know better than to think we deserve to take it for granted. What a sad story.

peephole

Fri, 09 May 2008 10:02:00 -0800

there is a story in the Examiner about it. http://www.examiner.com/a-1383074~Man_takes_fatal_plunge_near_Union_Square.html the examiner classily mentions that condos in that building list at $899K. terrible story.

Dutchgirl

Fri, 09 May 2008 08:56:39 -0800

I was there too, and taking pictures. Why taking pictures i don't know, i watched them back in my hotel and saw the bandage around his wrists. And i saw he had plugs in his ear, he was listing to music or something like that. Taking pictures is something i did automaticly, don't know why. It helps dealing with it. He was standing on the edge for a long time and i tought that he wasn't going to jump, but he did and it wasn't a pretty sight. The sound of hitting the ground was horrible. Does enyone know if he is still alive? There is no news about this on the internet. Why didn't the police and fireman do more, can't understand it. I'm here for vacation but is not what i want to see. I hope i wont be seeing this again.

icbalaam

Fri, 09 May 2008 07:55:17 -0800

Wow, the things I (thankfully) miss when I leave work early.

opinionation

Fri, 09 May 2008 07:49:53 -0800

I saw the situation and decided to leave the area. Just didn't want to watch.

Jerry Jarvis

Fri, 09 May 2008 01:13:57 -0800

I listen to to much I*C*P to express my thoughts about it here.

911truthnow

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:59:22 -0800

I was there too, and I saw him jump. I remember thinking he looked pretty average in build when he was on the ledge, but that when he jumped, his belly looked big. I recall thinking, "Oh no" as he was falling down.. his shirt rising up to expose his belly, the feeling of apprehension as i took the experience in.. his arms waving in cirles a couple of times as if to remain balanced as he was drawn to the ground.. i averted my eyes at the last moment so as not to have the image of his body hitting the concrete at that speed from that height imprinted as memory in my consciousness. Wow he did it, he jumped, after clearly having sliced his wrists up enough to have fresh red blood in blotches on white bandages on each wrist, the left side looking like the blood mark would overlap a beer coaster. At first I thought the guy was just looking at the cable car that was having trouble for whatever reason; it had a "student driver" banner on it, so I thought that was what the hullabaloo was all about, but then the police tape was cordonned off below the guy on the ledge, then i looked at the guy, and could see the desperation in his manner, something I recognized from my time feeling suicidal years ago.. i started to vocalize, "dont do it, man, its not worth it" not because he would hear me, but it was my need to express my intention as others around me yapped on their cell phones dressed in the latest disposable fashions, some people laughing about the situation.. people think death is funny these days, heck its all the rage to have skull imagery on clothes. forgive the people around you for the petty stuff that keeps us in little fights and squabbles.. life can be short, and there are real issues that need to be addressed.. remember that the next time advertisements make you feel inadequate because you haven't gone into debt to maintain a lifestyle madison avenue created for you to feed.

ryanstively

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:04:53 -0800

this man was my neighbor. i live on the third floor, he on the fifth of odeon, above h&m. i must say the response to this was, in my eyes, completely inadequate. i was on the roof, smoking a cigarette, talking with my friend on the phone. i see a firefighter rise from the side of the building, am startled, and cruise downstairs to check out what's happening. in the thirty minutes i was scrambling from the front of the building to my window (which also faces powell), to the other lobby windows facing o'farrell, firefighters manage to completely botch the entire situation. what is the protocol for this type of thing? in half an hour's time, they certainly could have bought out the inflatable pad to break the man's fall, or raised the ladder in his direction, instead of trying to intercept him from the roof. i am shocked, appalled, saddened, and grievous. i watched them hose the blood away from the sidewalk from my window. within ten minutes of the authorities taking down the caution tape, people were lined up, ready to go shopping at h&m. as if nothing had happened. is an utter lack of compassion among onlookers a coping mechanism? to distract from the severity of the situation? i spoke with a couple of girls afterward who were completely shocked at comments they heard from the crowd: "i want to see him do a flip! rad!" this man was my neighbor. i did not know him, but i miss him. my heart and my thoughts are with he and his family. i will never forget this day. and i will forever wonder if the scene really had to play out like it did. where was the inflatable landing pad?!?!?!?

sftourist

Thu, 08 May 2008 22:38:33 -0800

I'm here for the Java One conference and witnessed the whole thing from my hotel window. I watched the man stand on his ledge. He was barefoot, his wrists were bandaged, and he seemed strangely calm. I watched him stand there and prayed for him to change his heart and mind and climb back into his window. I didn't watch him to witness his death. I watched him in hopes of him rescuing himself or by the firefighters who were positioned directly on top of him on the building. Suddenly, his knees buckled in attempt to jump. Five minutes from that point, he jumped. He didn't scream or make any drastic motions as he was mid air. He hit the ground with his feet first and then his back. The force of his body hitting the ground caused him to bounce onto the front side of his body. The sound.... was so intense. Immediately, a firefighter ran to his aid followed by a team of EMTs. They placed the man on a stretcher and wheeled him onto an ambulance. As they rolled him off, his arm was dangling off to the side. I saw a firefighter lift his arm onto the stretcher and noticed that his arm was broken in at least 4 place. There was a little blood left on the pavement. I closed my shutters, cried , and said a prayer for this man's family. I tried to concentrate on work but the image of this man's tragedy is burnt in my memory and constantly replays in my mind. An hour after this happened, life in this area continued as if this had never occurred. This was a heavy realization of life moving forward. It is now 10:30 p.m. and as I look out my window, I see that this man's window is still open. This memory of San Francisco will forever haunt me.

Brock Keeling

Thu, 08 May 2008 22:31:14 -0800

it's an unusual and, for lack of a better word, exciting situation. i don't think there's any one right way to act.

letsdance

Thu, 08 May 2008 22:30:07 -0800

I was there, and it was the most horrific thing i have ever seen. I did see the bandages on his arms and concluded that he had already tried to commit suicide. When i saw him jump my heart stopped and i couldnt help but cry. I really feel bad for this man and hope that he is alive and well. & if not r.i.p

Dyces_San

Thu, 08 May 2008 22:25:54 -0800

Ok, I've never commented on something involving someone else's life... At least not publicly like this. I work at the Starbucks accross the corner of H&M, shit got really crazy really quick, and all customers could talk about was how sick people were for making a show out of it. And yeah, it's true. But then again I took a few photos as well. And it's not for amusement, but for something else, because there's nothing like remembering when seeing him right before he died, witch he did. Some cops came in a little later to get some drinks and they relaid the message to us, that the guys didn't make it. They couldn't catch him or anything either because they aren't allowed to, they can only try to talk him out of it. I don't feel bad not for him, or the people watching though, it was their choice, no one was forced to look. No one made someone turn around and witness something so dramatic, it's life. You can talk about coincidence all you want, but I call it fate. There is no chance, just what is supposed to be. Take it or leave it, these things happen, and we choose it to be. Nothing more... I pray his last moments weren't ones of hate, and I pray that those who witnessed his death don't blame him for his act. Rest in Peace lad... http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w193/ChuyNoGo911/sometimesithappens.jpg

anee

Thu, 08 May 2008 21:45:30 -0800

I was there. it wasn't a hoax. i saw the street blocked off when i got off of BART to go to my doc appointment. i heard people talking about suicide. i had to walk around and then return to powell to get to my doc's office.... approaching the blocked off street there were PLENTY of sick fucks with VIDEO CAMERAS, CAMERA PHONES, CAMERAS, etc. it was disgusting. who wants to watch that? i feel sorry for the person who saw on accident. returning to powell i saw him on top of the H&M building. i saw him pointing to his wrist or something... i didn't want to watch that. the fire truck had a ladder up to the window at the opposite side of the building. i literally had to PUSH idiots with there freaking cameras to the side to make my way AWAY from the horrible scene. sure enough around 3:45 i was done and the street was open. that window at the H&M building was still opened. some idiot inside of DSW shoes was showing the pictures to some friends. i asked what had happened, i told them i saw the man, did he...... they said yes. was he ok? they shook their heads. SAD. I feel for the man. i do. but what disturbed me more were the sick fucks photographing it.

fizzandpop

Thu, 08 May 2008 20:01:28 -0800

"Update after the jump". Nice.

Generic

Thu, 08 May 2008 19:40:35 -0800

Cause suicide is painless, It brings on many changes, And I can take or leave it if I please

Cindy

Thu, 08 May 2008 19:27:13 -0800

A guy jumped off a ledge from the Disneyland Hotel. Sad as suicide is, I thought that was an incredibly selfish act on his part, with absolutely no consideration for others, especially kids.

Matt415

Thu, 08 May 2008 18:50:21 -0800

Thanks for posting the link to SFSuicide.org. I used to volunteer for one of their other hotlines, and I know they're a great organization. This story is just so shocking and sad.

LisaLives

Thu, 08 May 2008 18:29:39 -0800

Although I feel a lot of compassion for someone driven to such a desperate act, it's also perfectly logical to feel anger if you witness something like this. Several years ago (12 or 13 I think) I was standing on the corner of Sansome and Jackson waiting for the walk light, when I heard what I thought was a gun shot. I looked to my right, and there was a man's body on the ground, and his shoes had been thrown off and tossed into the middle of the street. He was about five feet away from me. I ran into the lobby of the bldg. and told security I thought a man had been shot. They were already scrambling because they had just heard a man jumped from the 13th floor. As I was walking home that day I was practically shaking with rage thinking about how close the guy had come to taking me out with him. Sure I felt for the guy, sure I have compassion but suicide is one thing, and carelessly putting other people's lives at risk is another thing.

badlydrawnbear

Thu, 08 May 2008 18:10:46 -0800

To the issue of covering a suicide, NPR actually was just discussing this yesterday and the American Foundation for the Prevention of Suicide actually has recommended guidelines for covering a suicide because there have been multiple studies that show the way suicide is covered can actually spike suicide attempts following the coverge. http://www.afsp.org/

wawa

Thu, 08 May 2008 18:00:54 -0800

I was there. He did cut his wrists you could see them bleeding through the bandages that he must have put on. Tons of people standing by watching. When he left he was still alive (the ambulance wont take them if there dead). Not sure if he made it though my shift was over and had to go home.

bluecanary

Thu, 08 May 2008 18:00:53 -0800

Who the f**k takes pictures of this? SICK. Also, I'm with orange drink. I think people should have the right to suicide. Who are we to know whether their pain is worth living with or not? But when you force others to be involved, you're just being selfish on top of suicidal.

Brock Keeling

Thu, 08 May 2008 17:59:39 -0800

as i mentioned, VOX, it's been confirmed. check your reading comprehension skills before you post a comment please. kthxbai.

badlydrawnbear

Thu, 08 May 2008 17:57:19 -0800

"But involving this number of people is irresponsible, petty and selfish." EXACTLY!!! When you are suicidal you are so trapped, so alone, so desperate for the pain you are feeling to end you cannot see how horrific, irresponsible, petty, and selfish what you are about to do is. You have become completely cut off from everything. You cannot feel love, compassion, or hope within you or from others around you. You are alone and in a pain that indescribable. I understand your feelings about suicide being an incredibly selfish act, because it is, but you need to take the next step and ask yourself what kind of pain must someone be in to drive them to such an act.

nouseforaname

Thu, 08 May 2008 17:57:02 -0800

You dont have to believe me. I was only stating what I know to answer a question that someone asked. It doesnt matter HOW I know that info. I dont really want to go into detail about how/what I know because I would hate to picture his family reading about it online. There is a reason you arent reading about this on sfgate and other places. You can look at my previous posts... I dont come on here to make things up.

VOX

Thu, 08 May 2008 17:56:13 -0800

Brock, if you want to call yourself an EDITOR, then it's not good enough to say, "gee, how fantastic that I was so terribly wrong." You need to APOLOGIZE for misleading your readers. Unless, of course, Jayson Blair is your idol. VOX.

Fatemeh

Thu, 08 May 2008 17:53:04 -0800

VOX, the Bay Area news outlets simply don't publish suicide stories, and if they do, it's not until family has been notified -- there are too many identifying factors that get released. I was there. No hoax. I remember thinking it couldn't be real, because the police must have had enough time to put an air pillow or something under him. (I, too, am a little skeptical about the wrist-cutting detail, but I don't care. I watched a person die today. It doesn't matter how it happened.)

Brock Keeling

Thu, 08 May 2008 17:51:42 -0800

Typically MSM doesn't report suicides. If it's a hoax, then that is fantastic news as no one has actually died. also, check it: "To prevent this type of suicide, it is customary in some countries for the media to discourage suicide reports except in special cases." (via, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copycat_suicide) But since SFist readers seem far too together to do such a thing, much less suggestible, we went ahead and reported it. because we're classy like that.

VOX

Thu, 08 May 2008 17:47:55 -0800

I'm getting the feeling there's a massive hoax going on here. Why is there no major media outlet in the Bay Area reporting this at all? How would a bystander get a significant detail like "he slit his wrists" so quickly? If this turns out to be the hoax I think it is, shame on SFist for posting it. This is why so-called "citizen journalism" is a joke. It's "citizen gossip" and nothing more. VOX.

OrangeDrink

Thu, 08 May 2008 17:44:11 -0800

Oh spare me. I'm usually respectful and I do value life and I sympathize with his family and friends as well as the spectators. I understand this is a complicated issue, and I think everyone should have the right to suicide. But involving this number of people is irresponsible, petty and selfish. Nothing but anger towards him. Responsibility to those around doesn't change just because you are done with yourself.

makfan

Thu, 08 May 2008 17:39:04 -0800

Yikes....sorry for anyone who witnessed this, and sorry for this person's loved ones.

nouseforaname

Thu, 08 May 2008 17:30:24 -0800

Word badlydrawnbear. I wish that I didnt "get it" but I do. Very sad. The guy slit his wrists before he jumped. I hope he didn't suffer. So sad. I also hope his family isn't finding out on here.

badlydrawnbear

Thu, 08 May 2008 17:22:33 -0800

Well OrangeDrink as someone who struggled with suicidal thoughts through Junior High into College and still deals with depression to this day (my mid 30's) I have enough sympathy for the both of us. So until you know what it's like to spend YEARS of your life trying to climb out of the deepest darkest pit in your own soul I suggest you STFU.

OrangeDrink

Thu, 08 May 2008 17:15:30 -0800

No sympathy. I only feel bad for the people who had to watch it.

westcoastboy

Thu, 08 May 2008 17:07:43 -0800

oh man. so i had a 3pm interview AT H&M today. when i got there all this was going on.. he was on the 4th floor of the building at 150 Powell St. they evacuated H&M, but the upper floors still had whatever company employes in it. including the floor the dude was on the ledge of. i dont know how long he was up there. but i got there at 255 and saw him jump at 3:30. i think there had been someone in the window counceling him.. as he had started to move around and appeared to be talking to someone inside the window. so whether or not he ment to jump ..its beyond me RIP dude

deadbrother

Thu, 08 May 2008 16:47:38 -0800

NATIONAL UNION SQUARE SUICIDE DAY! didn't you guys know about it?

Mamer

Thu, 08 May 2008 16:41:22 -0800

Apparently there was a suicide in Union Square in Manhattan today too. Odd. http://flickr.com/photos/86954993@N00/2476694614/

WagonMonster

Thu, 08 May 2008 16:39:19 -0800

My friend was there and got pictures.. http://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingbeatsaduck/2477210434/

hillarys_quivering_lip

Thu, 08 May 2008 16:34:41 -0800

"so many people taking pictures on their phones" - wonder how many of them are uploaded and tagged SFIST??

kellyg

Thu, 08 May 2008 16:31:58 -0800

I walked by when he was standing up there. I'm thankful i was able to walk away. Fatemeh, I can't imagine being where you were. It didn't seem real. Ugh and so many people were taking pictures on their phones.

deadbrother

Thu, 08 May 2008 16:30:59 -0800

for real? as of 3pm I thought he was still on the building. Maybe he had enough of the seemingly low priced fashion wear of H&M. Damn Swedes.

Fatemeh

Thu, 08 May 2008 16:21:04 -0800

I was there. I'd been held in DSW while the police got barricades and tape up, and they slowly started to let people out. I had literally walked 5 or 10 steps from the front door of DSW when I heard a scream, and turned around. I wish I hadn't. I saw and heard him hit pavement. It is the most awful thing I have ever witnessed, and I can't seem to get the image out of my mind. SFist team, thank you for publishing the shit other "mainstream" media won't.