Police were diverting traffic around Eastlake Ave near the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Wednesday morning after a person leapt to their death from the Lakeview Blvd E overpass, a busy connection between Capitol Hill and the Eastlake, Cascade and South Lake Union neighborhoods, below.
The person believed to have jumped in the incident just after 9a was dead by the time crews arrived, according to Seattle Fire. We do not have additional information about the person at this time. A witness CHS spoke with said he found an abandoned backpack on the overpass that was retrieved by police.
CHS has reported on recent suicide attempts involving leaps from overpasses of I-5 around Capitol Hill. The leap from the Lakeview overpass of I-5 above Eastlake Ave is the first we are aware of in the area since April.
Resources to help those in need: National suicide-prevention hotline: 800-SUICIDE. Local Crisis Clinic: (206) 461-3222
Additional resources can be found at http://www.afsp.org
*you can also call 1-800-273-talk (8255) National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
*Seattle has a local American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) chapter you can connect with for resources:
Jo McNeal, Pacific Northwest Area Director
20611 Bothell Everett Hwy., #E247
Bothell, WA 98012
(425) 482-0965
[email protected]
1) Backpack contents suggested person was homeless
2) distant view of body (from up on overpass) suggested young white male.
3) passers by with camera phones need to restrain themselves better.
4) Emergency response very speedy, efficient and courteous.
5) many people live under the freeway in this area
It’s diverting jumpers to other accessible high places.
I think of this possibility every time I use this overpass. :-/
You think of jumping? If so please seek out someone to talk with. Even of its on this website. Hugs
We need to ban bridges because just like guns, they are killing people.
The bridge didn’t do it. ’twas the ground. Fuck the mother fucking hard earth.
i was in a room of 40 cancer patients who sadly watched this event unfold. It was complete horror to watch such utter desperation next to people who are literally fighting for their lives…wont soon forget
Is this it
I know the family of the jumper. Is there any information you can share? He has a son.
Bridges don’t kill bystanders. Also, bridges have a use other than killing people.
No no, I think of the possibility of someone else jumping. It’s so high. I’m glad I didn’t see it happen (I’m typically on or passing by the overpass at that time), and I feel awful for the person who jumped, and for those who saw it.
Thank you though. :)
I happened to be driving by within a few minutes after this happened and I hope all comments concerning this are sincere. Poster “Me” indicates that they know something about this poor soul’s family; I admit that this truly horrific act has had a very significant impact on me and I truly want to know more about the person that unwittingly shared his last moments with me. Please share more so this person doesn’t have to move on in without his story being told. It may only matter to those of us still here, but his story is worth more than a blog blurb.d
Flowers appeared by the evening of the event. I will remove them when they are truly wilted.
He had a big heart, many friends and will be greatly missed. He was a Roosevelt and UW grad, father of a young son – – he cared and loved his son more than anything, had a roof over his head thanks to a great supportive mother, a loving brother who helped him in many ways. Great friend of mine for 26 years.
For the loss of life and for each other. We also knew this person for many years and are deeply saddened by this awful news. Thank you to the poster who shared the photo of the flowers and for helping to honor the memory of our friend.
I did also see it,,,,my heart goes out to him and family,,,,so sad
This was a man I knew since first grade, nearly 40 years ago. A fun-loving child, a playful teenager, kind and nurturing. What happened to my childhood friend is beyond me. I am so terribly saddened for him, his family and his other friends. He left a young son and many friends and family who are bereft and shocked. Thank you to those of you unknown to him for respecting the tragic wake of a life ended with such despair and violence. I am sorry for those who witnessed his final moments. Any further information would be much appreciated.
I also want more info.
i understand this is a very sad and serious article.. but this made me laugh at all those who are completely ignorant and blame inadequate objects for death. touche’, Sarcastic.
I also new this man and love his family. I grew up knowing all of them. My question is how and what drives those that share a common love to create such horror for each other…. Money? What we have all lost is focus on the one true loser a ten year old boy!!! I will think of this tragedy for the rest of my days and am sorry for those that witnessed it, at the same time you are all still here….I can only hope all those involved remember the one lost! I will always and never forget the pain he must have felt.
He was a member of my family. As with suicides, there is much left unanswered. Sad, are you able to provide me with any details of what you saw? I am not being morbid…just looking for any details to better understand…..I am sorry for anyone who witnessed this.
I was walking to my work, ~20m behind him when I witnessed this happening. I saw him put down his black backpack, climbed over the rail and jumped. All happened so rapidly, and he looks very decisive (which is the most shocking part for me, I expected people to be more reluctant). Sorry that I don’t have more information to provide.