HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA — A man hanging from an overpass on the San Diego (405) Freeway shut down commuter traffic Thursday afternoon, authorities said.
The incident happened just after 12:30 p.m. Thursday on the southbound side of the freeway near Beach Boulevard in Huntington Beach, the California Highway Patrol said.
As of 2:20 p.m., the freeway had been shut down in both directions between Beach Boulevard and Magnolia Street, according to the CHP.
The man — dressed in an Orange shirt and jeans — could still be seen hugging a light pole and hanging precariously close to the freeway's edge by those who were stuck in the resulting traffic.
As of 1:06 p.m., southbound freeway traffic was being diverted to Beach Boulevard, authorities said.
Per witness accounts, as of 1:40 p.m. there was no deployed airbag on the ground while the man continued to hang from the overpass.
The incident unfolded at 12:36 p.m., when a man — believed by authorities to be on drugs — climbed the fence of the overpass and wrapped his arms around the pole on the southbound side of the Freeway, according to the CHP.
THIS IS A BREAKING STORY. REFRESH FOR UPDATES.
More California News:
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Orange County, CA Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.