Officers Save Man Who Tried to Hang Himself from Hollywood Street Pole

A man who tried to commit suicide by hanging himself from a telephone pole was rescued by two officers from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Hollywood Station, authorities said today.

Officers spotted the man about 5:30 p.m. Sunday near the top of a telephone pole on the corner of La Brea and Delongpre avenues.

He had tied a torn shirt around his neck and was threatening to hang himself, according to the LAPD.

Officers positioned themselves to take lifesaving action while Los Angeles Fire Department personnel extended a ladder to the man and positioned an air bag beneath him, police said.

“When the man let go of his grip on the pole, he hung himself by the neck with his feet dangling in the air,” according to an LAPD statement. “Officers Joseph Marx and Chris Ignacio took direct action and ... saved the man’s life.”’

The man was treated by firefighters at the scene and then taken to a hospital for further treatment and a mental evaluation, police said.

“I could not be prouder of the supervisors and officers who brought this incident to a successful and safe conclusion,” Hollywood Station watch commander Lt. Scott Murray said.

City News Service