Press release date: 2008-05-13
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 1:07 pm, the police department received a report of a woman sitting on the railing of the Old West Linn-Oregon City Bridge. This bridge is adjacent to the West Linn Police Department. Officer John Huntsman was the first to arrive and found the woman approximately mid-span with both feet over the edge. As he approached her she began to scoot closer to the edge. Officer Huntsman stopped about ten feet from her and engaged her in conversation. He continued to speak to her to determine what the issue was today. While he spoke to her she put her head down for a split second when Officer Huntsman lunged to her pulling her to safety with the assistance of West Linn Detective Blain McKean. Once on the sidewalk she was restrained and brought to the West Linn Police Department. Clackamas County Mental Health arranged for a bed at Providence Hospital, in Portland, and she was transported there by a West Linn officer. The woman is a 24-year-old Oregon City resident. The bridge, which is Highway 43, was closed for a short time during this incident. Officer Huntsman was assisted by officers from West Linn, Oregon City, and the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office.
