The Trans-Canada Highway was closed for about two hours Sunday night at the Silver Bridge in Duncan as police tried to talk down a man who had climbed to the top and was throwing objects at people below. 

“He was distraught. There was alcohol that was involved. He wasn’t listening to reasoning at the time when the RCMP members arrived," RCMP Cpl. Greg Pask said. 

Pask said a crisis negotiator managed to convince the man to come down from the top of the bridge.

The man was taken to the Cowichan District Hospital to be assessed under the Mental Health Act and Pask said he will not face charges.

Pask hopes others will reach out for help if they need it.

“If they do find themselves in need of talking to somebody or find themselves in some sort of mental crisis, contact a help line or contact the RCMP directly and ask to speak with someone.”

The Cowichan Tribes called a state of emergency in May after receiving over 50 suicide alert calls. They’ve since held workshops to train staff to deal with emergency situations.

The 24-hour Vancouver Island Crisis Line is 1-888-494-3888.

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