| Bridge Closure Due to Jumper???
Posted: 7/5/2008 8:43:08 AM | I don't hear anyone complaining when streets are closed for example The Sun Run or visiting dignitaries or other special events..... sheesh where are peoples priorities nowadays. With some of these posts you could take the human out of humane or humanity. This is just one story that hit the media, how many others in desperate situations involve people dying or suffering in solitude. I see all the complainers at alive and well to see today and the following days to come.
Another case of don't care, NIMBY attitude.
Yes its great to live in Beautiful British Columbia if you can stay alive long enough to enjoy it!!! | |
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| Bridge Closure Due to Jumper???
Posted: 7/5/2008 8:54:38 AM | red rum ^^^^
There is a wide gap of difference between having streets closed on publicly announced schedule well ahead of the actual closure, where people can adjust their lives accordingly, and a unscheduled closure causing considerable disruption, perhaps on a far bigger scale too.
Rest assured I empathize with the plight of the would-be jumper and those who have lost loved ones that did jump. In fact the son of my friends was seen to jump off the Port Mann Bridge, his body never to be found. Very sad for us all, and very difficult for my still-grieving friends.
Yet I ask you to put yourself in the shoes of the stuck travelers denied bridge crossing. If you were greatly inconvenienced or suffered much, for example missing a flight or sailing, incurred expenses you were not prepared for and can ill afford, would your attitude be somewhat different?
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| Bridge Closure Due to Jumper???
Posted: 7/5/2008 10:03:58 AM | | Yep shame on me for being so selfish not to consider someones expenses over another persons life! What the heck was I thinking , you are so so right OnchyRinkus. | |
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| Bridge Closure Due to Jumper???
Posted: 7/5/2008 10:28:42 AM | IMO....ANYONE who travels on a long weekend and expects to make it there without getting caught in any/some type of traffic incident in the big metropolis is delusional.
Traffic accidents and "events" happen all the time and everyone who is complaining is just miffed that it happened to close a bridge. If there had been a bomb everyone would have been seriously impressed they were saved from crossing.... perhaps an oil spill? ( remember the line that broke and sprayed everywhere a year or so ago?) or how about a nasty accident that involved a logging truck dumping all over the road COMPLETELY blocking it?
GET over it people. You live in or are passing through a MAJOR city,.. "events" happen in life,.........pray everyone makes it safely through whatever is going on and make lemonade and play cards!
As for a holiday accident ( Easter) ,.. that exactly happened here on Vanc Isl a few years ago before the new highway was put in (see logging truck sentence) ,... traffic was completely stopped for almost 8 hours. and YES it was hot... we all survived and even made some new friends in the wait. Perhaps that there is a lesson in here for all those who weren't prepared to make sure they DO have atleast snack and something to drink in their vehicle at ALL times.
Yet I ask you to put yourself in the shoes of the stuck travelers denied bridge crossing. If you were greatly inconvenienced or suffered much, for example missing a flight or sailing, incurred expenses you were not prepared for and can ill afford, would your attitude be somewhat different?
No,.. no different....I would still hope that person was given the best possible chance for care. Been there done that ... see above message, oh and on more than one occassion,.... I recall a rockslide stopping us dead in our tracks on day 2 of a holiday too.... BIG deal. Stuck for 2 days in the rockies.. and as the saying goes..." no one died"... there is a reason people say that!
Be prepared.
Halokitty girl I always knew I liked you and now I know exactly why,..... you rock chickita!!!!
~ is also wondering since when is missing a ferry sailing a MAJOR inconvenience? Common occurrence is more like it... sailings get cancelled or delayed or full..........oh 'cept for the poor folks who lost their reserved fee of $15. I happen to think a life is worth that.~ | |
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| Bridge Closure Due to Jumper???
Posted: 7/5/2008 10:30:12 AM | I think one of the main reason why so many people on July 1st were upset, it was a national holiday, hot weather has arrived for summer, and traffic was heavier than usual. If this bridge closure occured during the week, many of the complaints about the bridge closure wouldn't be front line news.
The sad part, on this holiday this person for whatever reason, had enough with life, walked on to the second narrows wanting to end their life. There's no game plan for any person deciding the hour to pick, it may be logical for them to do this, and for any functional human, we will think, its crazy, inconvient to uncaring to have 1 person to hold up traffic for hours. The bridge closure was necessary for the medical & law enforcement to do their job, and regardless of the delays, the rescue was in play for however long it would take. If this was some you cared about or even yourself, wouldn't you want to have trained personnel doing whatever to help you, even if you're thoughts are opposite to the help you're being offered? Its sad that this person issue's caused delays in anyone's life, creating whatever plans to be on hold, and having the transportation minister wanting a review to 1 bridge closure and then the lions gate bridge for accident.
If anything comes out of this event, that the person is accepting the help in the hospital & will in time come to understand why, we can only speculate to what this person has experienced? As for the bridges that were closed, having the review could improve the next situation, and avoid all the attention on the next event.
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| Bridge Closure Due to Jumper???
Posted: 7/5/2008 10:41:02 AM | I was going to stay clear of this discussion, but decided to play a little devils advocate. Although I agree with alot of the posts here, but how about simply charging those that get up there for attention? Yes, there are most definately those folks that love to be the centre of attention, and will do really stupid things when depressed that the world around them is not revolving around them. I am all for the unfortunate souls that are suffering from various types of mental illnesses. For these folks, I would sit in traffic for hours, regardless of what I might be missing, in order to save their life. BUT, there are also those that really have no intention of jumping, but get up there and cry wolf.
So, if we are lucky enough to have the Government put up fences, then let's start to make the attention getters become accountable when they do it for their own selfish, non medical reasons! Hell, just in these forums alone, those that are attention seekers can be seen! I'm confident that when they finally come down, and are taken to ER for the pyscological testing, the doctors can determine who is and who is not, medically ill at the time of the climb. Saving a life is certainly paramount, but, if NOT found to be mentally ill, charges should be laid! If not monetary, then community service might certainly be a deterant in the future!
My heart goes out to those in such turmoil and pain, due to mental illnesses though. We have all either been there, or know someone who has. | |
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| Bridge Closure Due to Jumper???
Posted: 7/5/2008 10:45:22 AM | and HOW are you going to decide who was playing wolf and who wasn't, think of the money going to be spent PROVING who is mentally ill/depressed and who isn't?
ohhh and when you figure out HOW to get blood ( aka money) out of a stone lemme know hmmmmmmmkay? I have a few rocks I need to bleed !!! | |
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| Bridge Closure Due to Jumper???
Posted: 7/5/2008 11:24:17 AM | The solution is now out on the front page of the North Shore News
.....Adopt the Lions Gate Bridge 2006 plan/actions......
...Park a truck beside the "jumper"closing that inside lane...then spread out a large tarpaulan across the area in question...allowing the professionals to do their job while leaving open the other three lanes.
...The Vancouver Police Department have appologized for their poor decision in closing the whole Second Narrows Bridge.
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| Bridge Closure Due to Jumper???
Posted: 7/5/2008 11:25:56 AM | Ouch!
First of all, I didn't say "I" would figure out who was or wasn't medically ill. Isn't it policy that when someone attempts suicide they are taken to the hospital for a psychiatric evaluation? As for the blood out of a stone comment, I also stated there could be community service ordered in lieu of financial compensation.
But if anyone ever figures out how to bleed a rock, I too would love to know! | |
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| Bridge Closure Due to Jumper???
Posted: 7/5/2008 11:45:15 AM | ...Park a truck beside the "jumper"closing that inside lane...then spread out a large tarpaulan across the area in question...allowing the professionals to do their job while leaving open the other three lanes.
You think that's realistic? Have you ever tried to talk while 3 lanes of traffic are screamin' by?
How far from the jumper do you want to park that truck? Many of them want no one near them; do you want to risk getting too close and losing that life?
What if it's pouring rain? That's going to make it harder to hear the individual, harder to help them, when there's 3 lanes of traffic going by on the wet pavement.
You know, I find people so fickle a lot of the time. If the police hadn't closed down the bridge, and the jumper would have taken her life, and the police hadn't been able to hear what she was saying, people would be up in arms over them not closing the bridge to save her life. But since they did close the bridge and save her life, people are angry because they were inconvenienced. The priorities of some people really do appall me. To decide that your ferry, your bbq, or even just your day at the beach, is more important than someone's life is narcissistic, cruel, and downright evil; especially when it comes to a matter of life over death.
That's what it boils down to here. People are saying, subconsciously (and unfortunately sometimes consciously and verbally) saying that their "things", things that can be replaced or rescheduled, are more important than someone's life. That is both sickening, and heart wrenchingly sad.
I pity people who feel their life is more important than someone else's. Maybe the jumper isn't the only one that needed help. | |
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| Bridge Closure Due to Jumper???
Posted: 7/5/2008 11:53:53 AM | | Not gonna get jacked up about this,,,but plain and simple,,,,SIX hours is tooooooooo long for to shut down a bridge for someone that "may" jump. After that I will keep my mouth shut on the comments about mental "illness". | |
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| Bridge Closure Due to Jumper???
Posted: 7/5/2008 1:23:50 PM | Halo....obviously you dont want any kind of bridge jumper solution...do you?
...The tarp separates an appropriate portion of the sidewalk with the outside of the bridge from the traffick lanes... also providing a sound barrier to let the profesionals to do their work.
Alien Secret....thanks for your "finger on the pulse" input
... a resident of PEI and an expert on bridge suicides
139,000 total population....1 person for every six square miles
Lets place a jumper in the middle of the Confederation Bridge for six hours and see how long your fellow provincial citizens tolerate no delivery of food, water, staples and tourists $$$.
Or instead lets drop 1.5 million people on your island for a week and see how you personally cope.
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| Bridge Closure Due to Jumper???
Posted: 7/5/2008 1:27:22 PM | Halo....obviously you dont want any kind of bridge jumper solution...do you?
I've made suggestions: Oh wait, you thought they "clouded" the discussion. I see - you'll only believe I want a solution when I agree with your unrealistic opinions. | |
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| Bridge Closure Due to Jumper???
Posted: 7/5/2008 1:33:36 PM | Hey Halo
If you didn't have age restrictions on your mail I would be sending you one right now!
Perhaps you could send me one with an alternative means to contact you.
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| Bridge Closure Due to Jumper???
Posted: 7/5/2008 2:02:07 PM | Interesting thread....
A few years back, en route to a Christmas Party at the Pan Pacific, I was one of those inconvenienced on the Port Mann Bridge for 4 hrs dressed to the nines and freezing...
Someone wanted to DIE that night....
so many emergency personnel from both sides trying to 'save a life' while I stood watching with a crowd of 'honking idiots' yelling "jump, jump'." I was horrified at the callousness of those inconvienced, those whose lack of compassion for another humans pain was blatantly displayed for all to see
I spent my time reviewing my own difficulties, stresses and was truly thankful with all the 'tough' stuff that I've never reached the point of feeling so worthless, broken and without hope.......as the person that night.
Inconvience to 'us' ..yes. Take a moment and try to imagine what brings a person to that point and be 'thankful' your struggles haven't brought you there.
Show some compassion.....it may make the difference in one's life to prevent this level of pain in another
and if you can't manage that, take the time to be grateful that it's not you or a family member of yours there
oh....and I missed that 'grand party' that night, it changed my life | |
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| Bridge Closure Due to Jumper???
Posted: 7/5/2008 3:15:27 PM | No personal attack against anyone was ment, or intended! And if it did, I am truely sorry. Just a topic that touches the emotion button is/was all.
Spud | |
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| Bridge Closure Due to Jumper???
Posted: 7/5/2008 3:43:14 PM | uncle maxx
">Alien Secret....thanks for your "finger on the pulse" input
... a resident of PEI and an expert on bridge suicides
139,000 total population....1 person for every six square miles
blahblah!! Just because I am a "resident" of PEI (NOW), I've lived from one end of this country to the next, and wth does that have to do with the topic?
I don't care how many jumpers there are = 1 is too many! No .. I'm not a "bridge officionado" I am a human being who gives a sh.t about a hurting person. I'm glad they closed the bridge to save a life. I don't think I need to have crossed or even seen a bridge, nor do I think where I live (now) has any bearing on my opinion.
Thanks for another opportunity to say "KUDOS to Halokitty!"
ps
I have been stuck for hours in traffic .. the world didn't stop spinning. ;) | |
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| Bridge Closure Due to Jumper???
Posted: 7/5/2008 3:54:57 PM | Halokitty - You have shown a tremendous amount of courage in this thread. Obvious- ly you are fighter and no wonder you are keeping that black dog at bay.
Red Rum - Does the word melodramatic mean anything to you? We are very fortunate to be in Canada. Trying staying alive in, say, Afghanistan. A scheduled closure is quite different than an unplanned one.
I think the issue of bridge closures is muddied when people believe that those who are opposed to them do not validate others emotional illness. I am sure there are sucidal people who would argue to keep the bridge open.
Always keep the big picture in mind. Someone could be prevented from getting to other side who has a 13 year old child on the brink of death.
I think we need to find alternatives that meet everyone needs. | |
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| Bridge Closure Due to Jumper???
Posted: 7/5/2008 9:42:00 PM | | So lets get the person that is on the brink of suicide to schedule a day and time that is convient for everyone! Nice touch Xavery! | |
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| Bridge Closure Due to Jumper???
Posted: 7/5/2008 10:26:34 PM | Yup. Too many here are STILL missing the point!!!
All self-righteousness aside, you MUST look at the big picture!! Those of you so quick to judge the "heartless" and "inhumane" posts really, REALLY need to get over yourselves. You don't have exclusive rights to caring about others, or to empathy, or any of those "feel-good" qualities. The fact has been pointed out many, many times that it was NOT necessary to disrupt thousands of people's lives for the sake of one person.
Instead of judging others from on high, how about offering some solutions, instead of trying to inflict everyone with your own personal tales of woe which have little to do with THE ACTUAL THREAD TOPIC!?!! | |
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| Bridge Closure Due to Jumper???
Posted: 7/5/2008 11:28:09 PM | it was NOT necessary to disrupt thousands of people's lives for the sake of one person
Would you feel differently I wonder, if that ONE PERSON was someone you loved?
" To the World
You may be just another girl
But to me
Baby, you are the world"
Halokitty, you rock girlfriend...thank you for your post. *hugs* | |
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| Bridge Closure Due to Jumper???
Posted: 7/6/2008 6:00:53 AM | SLIGHTLY OVERLOOKED PREDICAMENTS.
.....Halo, Alien et al.....
What if...there was an emergency...a heart attack/stroke victim or a pregnant woman ready to give birth, in progress, stuck somewhere in the Cassiar Tunnel, trying to get to the Lions Gate Hospital?
What if...there was a young or an elderly person stuck out in the hot sun...without air conditioning in their car....could lead to a medical incident.
....Oh I know, we can spend $50,000 more by Medivacing them across by helicopter.
You guys just dont see any other view....locking down a major artery and bridge for six hours is super duper logical.
In fact...Halo and Alien....your views are a twist on Contemporary Terrorism.....instead of a suicide bomber strapped to the gills with TNT....send out a mental patient instead.
Lets rename all the bridges in Vancouver to....Mini Jerusalems.
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| Bridge Closure Due to Jumper???
Posted: 7/6/2008 7:05:09 AM | ^^^^ Maxx
You have a hole in your theory. If anyone required medical assistance and were on either side of the bridge the supports would be designated to another hopsital or service. Lion's gate hospital is not the only service in town. If someone was stuck in the tunnel there are many, many hospitals on that side of the bridge. Your just reaching now in an attempt to show one up on other posters in this thread and its actually quite annoying now.
Your point regarding this thread topic has been made several times now, I think we all get it !
CC
...a heart attack/stroke victim or a pregnant woman ready to give birth, in progress, stuck somewhere in the Cassiar Tunnel, trying to get to the Lions Gate Hospital? | |
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| Bridge Closure Due to Jumper???
Posted: 7/6/2008 7:45:14 AM | There have been some passionate arguments made to convince folks that every effort must be made to attempt a rescue of a would-be jumper.
Where does one draw the line? How many people must be inconvenienced, how great must the inconvenience be, how many need suffer financial costs that cannot be recovered, etc. before the collective voice of reason says "Okay, enough! we need to permit all these other people get on with their lives too."
I believe there has to be limit. It is only after someone accepts that there must be a limit that one can start thinking of working towards a solution instead of stubbornly arguing that every effort must be made.
I believe that the solution is one of compromise.
In this particular case I haven't been convinced by above arguments that my earlier suggestion (Msg 3) would not have been a reasonable solution. Let vehicles go through but at 10 km/hour speed limit, single lane. alternating on the lane furthest from her. A quiet trickle would have been far better than total blockage.
Respectfully
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| Bridge Closure Due to Jumper???
Posted: 7/6/2008 8:30:32 AM | I don't know of any real solution to these random situations....
It happens and the emergency personal do at the time what they think is best....let them do it without all the second guessing.
It's no different than any other emergency situation, it has to be dealt with.
Patience is a virtue.
For those self important morons that yell jump jump.......
If was close enough I might just toss you over the bridge, hopefully no emergency personal would tie up traffic trying to salvage that gene pool....... | |
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