101 Freeway reopened in downtown L.A.; would-be jumper in custody
All lanes of the 101 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles reopened Friday evening after a man who was seen hanging off an overpass sign was taken into custody.
Los Angeles firefighters placed large rescue air cushions on the roadway, according to the California Highway Patrol. The CHP diverted the southbound 101 traffic to the southbound 110 Freeway and closed the northbound 110 Freeway transition to the southbound 101 Freeway.
The Temple Street onramp to the southbound 101 Freeway was also closed for a time.
The incident jammed traffic all through downtown.
The man was first spotted hanging from the Grand Avenue overpass sign at 4:37 p.m. near the Broadway exit, CHP Officer Alex Rubio said. It was unclear how the man was dangling.
Police and CHP officers climbed onto the sign to reach the man and took him into custody without incident.
Firefighters placed ladders along the overpass and air cushions directly under the man, fire officials said.
Photos on social media showed traffic stopped along the 101 Freeway and the air cushions in lanes, followed by later photos of officers alongside the man on the overpass sign.
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