After a tense standoff Friday morning, California Highway Patrol officers successfully talked a man back over the railing of the Bay Bridge, and out of jumping to his injury or death.

According to CHP spokesperson Officer Michael Ferguson, officers received a report of a person standing over the railing and threatening to jump at 9:35 Friday morning

Officers trained in crisis intervention techniques, the US Coast Guard, a CHP boat and a CHP air unit all responded to the scene.

"Following a short negotiation," Ferguson said, "the responding CHP officers were able to effectively communicate with the man and talk him back over the railing."
He was then taken into protective custody "without incident."

Ferguson says that that's why traffic was tied up on the Bay Bridge this morning: apparently the troubled man had abandoned his car in one of the Bridge's westbound lanes, snarling commuters for about half-an-hour.

The man was transported to San Francisco General Hospital, where he remains under emergency psychiatric hold "pending an evaluation of his mental well-being." According to Ferguson, at least at present, CHP isn't planning on charging him "with any violation in relation to this incident."

If someone you know exhibits warning signs of suicide: do not leave the person alone; remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt; and call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional.