CCFD, CCPD team up to rescue climber on Harbor Bridge

At approximately 2 p.m., CCFD and CCPD rescue crews talked the man safely off of the suspension cabling.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A man who climbed one of the suspension cables of the New Harbor Bridge on Wednesday afternoon was safely brought down after police and fire officials worked together to negotiate with him.

Corpus Christi Police Department Officer Madeline Vaughn said officers responded to the bridge at 12:37 p.m. on Wednesday after receiving reports of the man perched more than 85 feet above the roadway

The Corpus Christi Fire Department deployed a truck company to get a CCPD Hostage Negotiation Team officer closer to the man.

Police said the officer was able to establish communication and convince him to come down.

Firefighters used ladder trucks and heavy equipment while Corpus Christi Police Department officers worked to keep traffic blocked in both directions.

Capt. Eric McCloud with the Corpus Christi Fire Department, who has 23 years of experience, said he spent nearly an hour speaking with the man before he was safely helped down.

“If it happens to go on for a day that’s OK, we’re committed until the job is done,” McCloud said. “As long as it takes, no matter the emergency we’re gonna show up and do what we can to make the problem go away.”

Fire Chief Brandon Wade confirmed this was the first such incident on the new Harbor Bridge. Both he and McCloud said the department regularly trains for rescues of this kind, often partnering with CCPD’s Hostage Negotiation Team.

Firefighters assisted the man down the bridge structure. He was taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

CCPD closed lanes on the bridge while the incident occurred, causing traffic both ways. Police are still unsure if charges will be filed, as the investigation is still ongoing.

City Manager Peter Zanoni described the scene before the man was rescued, sending the following text to 3NEWS:

“Mayor & Council,

Update: There is currently an individual who is climbing a support tie on the new harbor bridge. Fire and Police are onscene. The individual is now higher than Fire Department aerial ladders. The individual continues to climb higher and fire department personnel do not have a means for firefighters to effect a rescue.

Fire and police have a unified command and are working on options.

Fwd:
Update: CCFD just got a 125 foot man lift from the bridge construction firm on scene. That will help us get closer to the individual.

Update: From Chief Wade, we got him in the bucket. Good teamwork from CCFD and CCPD.”

This is a developing story; check 3NEWS for the latest updates.

CCFD, CCPD team up to rescue climber on Harbor Bridge

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