A woman having a mental health crisis who climbed onto a pedestrian bridge over Indiana 45/46 bypass was rescued Wednesday night, according to Bloomington Police Captain Ryan Pedigo.
The woman who was barefoot climbed onto the outside of the bridge and used her fingers to keep her grip on the chain-link fence material over the walkway. The bypass was shut down in both directions, while police and the Bloomington Fire Department rescued the woman.
Motorists began calling central dispatch around 6:49 p.m. after seeing the woman, said Pedigo. Officers used tourniquets to secure the woman and keep her from falling. Officers cut holes in the fencing, to physically hold onto the woman, who is in her twenties.
Pedigo praised the officers for their quick thinking, and the adaptations they made to keep the woman safe.
A female officer talked to the woman while the Bloomington Fire Department set up a truck, and an officer, and firefighter used a bucket at 7:05 to help the woman out of danger. The bypass was reopened at 7:08 p.m.
The woman was taken to a local hospital to be evaluated.
