CLARKSTON, WA – The Southway Bridge was closed for more than an hour Tuesday afternoon after reports of a man hanging from the bridge prompted a coordinated emergency response, according to the Asotin County Sheriff’s Office.
At about 1 p.m., dispatchers at Whitcom received multiple calls about the incident. Deputies from the Asotin County Sheriff’s Office responded, shutting down the bridge to traffic and making contact with the man alongside members of Asotin County Fire District #1.
A crisis worker from Quality Behavioral Health was requested and arrived at the scene, successfully engaging the individual in conversation.
Emergency responders spent more than an hour building rapport with the man before the incident was resolved. No injuries were reported.
The response involved the Lewiston Police Department, Nez Perce County Sheriff’s Office, Asotin County Fire District #1, Clarkston Police Department, and the Asotin County Road Department. Road Department crews managed traffic control while law enforcement focused on the incident.