Same youth in mental-health distress forces emergency response on St. James Bridge for third time this month
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Winnipeg’s emergency services have been called to the St. James Bridge three times in as many weeks to help a youth in distress.
The most recent incident happened Monday, when police, firefighters and paramedics rushed to the northbound side of the bridge, which crosses the Assiniboine River, shortly before 7:45 a.m.
The incident, along with similar calls Oct. 6 and Oct. 8, involved the same young teen, who was suffering from mental-health related issues, said police spokesman Const. Claude Chancy.
Monday’s situation was resolved by 8:30 a.m.
Police declined to release additional information about the incident, citing privacy concerns. The Free Press contacted a number of other authorities or organizations in an attempt to discuss concerns about the youth, but representatives were unavailable or declined to comment.
Jarrod Doern, who witnessed the Oct. 6 incident, said the youth was rescued from the edge of the northbound span at about 8:30 a.m. that day after a “hero” firefighter sat down and spoke to them for several minutes.
Doern was out for a bike ride when he noticed bystanders were looking up at the bridge, where several emergency vehicles were parked. A water-rescue unit was positioned in the river, he said, while hailing the emergency response and the outcome of the incident.
“Firefighters, police and paramedics, they’re vastly overworked and underappreciated, in my opinion,” Doern said.
He said he was not aware that the same youth was involved in all three incidents and hopes they receive the help that they need.
Chancy said Winnipeg police have this year responded to 10 calls involving different people in distress at the St. James Bridge.
Monday’s response involved personnel in at least two fire trucks, an ambulance and multiple police vehicles. Northbound traffic on Route 90 was reduced to one lane.
“These calls for service can generate extensive emergency response which, at times, has required local road and bridge access,” Chancy wrote in an email.
fpcity@freepress.mb.ca