Over 20 hours after an incident shut down several major roadways and bridges in Calgary's downtown core, police have said that it has been resolved peacefully. The Reconciliation Bridge, the Fourth Avenue flyover and the Fifth Avenue flyover have all been re-opened.
According to police, late Wednesday evening, they were called to the Reconciliation Bridge for reports of a man suffering from a mental health crisis who had climbed to the top of the bridge.
"Police and emergency crews immediately flooded the area, attempting to make contact with the man, and closing roads in the area for both the safety of the man and the public accessing the area."
On Thursday, after hours of negotiation utilizing several techniques made possible in partnership with the Calgary Fire Department, at approximately 6 p.m., police were able to successfully negotiate with the man to voluntarily be taken down to safety. The man has since been transported to hospital.
"We recognize that this incident significantly impacted access for many Calgarians commuting into the downtown area for work, accessing their homes and local businesses, while also causing several delays in the surrounding areas," police added. "We appreciate the public’s patience as emergency crews worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of all involved."
Police thanked the city's fire department, The City of Calgary, and Alberta Health Services for their assistance in helping to resolve the incident.
The investigation is ongoing, and charges may be pending.
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