Pocatello police save suicidal man from jumping off Benton Street overpass

POCATELLO — Local police say the quick response of two officers saved a suicidal man from jumping off of the Benton Street overpass on Tuesday afternoon.

The incident began to unfold around noon when several concerned citizens called Pocatello police to report that a man appeared as if he was going to jump off of the overpass and onto the railroad tracks below, police told the Idaho State Journal.

Police say the man had climbed over the curved chain link fence of the northern westbound lane of the Benton Street overpass and was found standing on the exterior of the fence when two Pocatello police officers arrived on scene, police said.

“Both officers did a great job trading roles and speaking with the gentleman,” Pocatello Police Lt. Nathan Diekemper told the Idaho State Journal on Tuesday afternoon. “The officers were able to ultimately talk him back onto the other side of the fence. The gentleman appeared to be having a very bad day and was in emotional distress and it appeared to me that the officers saved the man’s life.”

Diekemper said that initially the two officers responded but it became clear quickly that more assistance was needed so members of the Pocatello Fire Department and two members of the police crisis negotiation team also responded to the scene.

Just as the firefighters and crisis negotiators arrived on scene the initial two responding officers were able to talk the man into climbing back over the fence, police said.

The man is a local resident but officers are not releasing his name because of the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Police said the incident lasted about 15 minutes, adding that the man was taken via ground ambulance to Portneuf Medical Center for a mental health evaluation. No criminal charges are being pursued against the man.

The overpass was not closed as a result of the incident but traffic was directed around the northern westbound lane of Benton Street, police said. Union Pacific Railroad ceased operations for the 15-minute incident, according to police.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, you can call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Local residents can also visit the South East Idaho Behavioral Crisis Center at 1001 N. Seventh Avenue or call by dialing 208-909-5177.