OTTAWA — Just before noon, a standoff on the K-68 bridge over the Marais des Cygnes River ended without tragedy. A man dangling from the center of the bridge ended the standoff with police officers by getting off the bridge railing and walking to officers. The man was distraught over a relationship and went to the bridge with the intention of jumping, Ottawa Police Chief Dennis Butler said. Officers were at Forest Park for some training exercises and saw the man walk onto the bridge. The man eventually surrendered without incident. “We have some officers who are very patient and very well trained to negotiate with people who are distraught, Butler said. “… The thing we have on our side was time … we would have stayed as long as we needed to get him down safely and fortunately, he made that choice.” The man was taken to the police station for testing, Butler said. The K-68 bridge over the Marais des Cygnes River was closed nearly two hours because of the man dangling from the center of the bridge. At one point the man was standing on the top railing with one arm around a lamp post. Police, fire trucks and ambulances were at the scene. Butler declined to identify the man.
Monday, May 4, 11 a.m.; updated, noon; updated, 12:30 p.m.; updated, 1 p.m.
