Calgary’s Fourth Avenue flyover and Reconciliation Bridge were closed in both directions Wednesday night and much of Thursday because of what police described on social media as a “mental health crisis.”
At around 6 p.m. on Thursday, the incident came to a close as police began reopening lanes on the bridge and the flyover.
“After more than 20 hours of negotiation, the incident in East Village impacting access in and around the downtown area has been safely resolved,” police said in a news release issued Thursday night.
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Police said officers “were able to successfully negotiate with the man to voluntarily be taken down to safety.”
“The man has since been transported to hospital.”
Police said an investigation into what happened is ongoing, “and charges may be pending.”
Police thanked Calgarians who were trying to get in and out of downtown for their patience.
Police were first called to the area at about 11:20 p.m. on Wednesday “for reports of a man suffering from a mental health crisis who had climbed to the top of the bridge.” In a news release just before 5 a.m. on Thursday, police said there was no risk to the public.
In addition to the Reconciliation Bridge, the Fourth Avenue flyover being closed, the Fifth Avenue flyover was closed at times to allow police and emergency crews to work in the area.
At around 3 p.m., police said the Fifth Avenue flyover was reopened to traffic, allowing commuters to exit downtown onto Memorial Drive.
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