On Wednesday, January 15, 2014, at approximately 10:05am deputies assigned to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station received a call for service regarding a 42-year-old male who was possibly suicidal. A short time later, the man's vehicle was located (parked) at Sierra Highway and Newhall Avenue. Deputies had reason to believe the man was now traveling on foot headed into an off road / rural area to possibly commit suicide.
The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Search and Rescue Team was immediately called out to start a search for the man. Four off-road motorcycle team deputies were deployed to assist in search efforts. Deputies from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station Crime Prevention Unit (CPU) were deployed on foot along with rangers from the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy to hike the area in an effort to locate the alleged suicidal man. A Sheriff's Department helicopter also responded to the area to search for the man.
At approximately 1:15pm an off-road motorcycle deputy spotted the man across a deep ravine on top of a ridge line approximately 2.5 miles south/west from where he had parked his vehicle. Search and Rescue Team members were brought into the extremely rural area by use of the helicopter.
Deputies discovered the man now sitting on the edge of a mountain cliff. The man was threatening to jump over the cliff, which had an approximate 500 foot drop below. Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station Search and Rescue Team members began to speak to the man. Two members from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Crisis Negotiation Team responded to assist in talking to the man, who still remained on the edge of the cliff.
After approximately four hours of speaking to the man, personnel on scene quickly and cautiously approached the man, and simultaneously grabbed the man, preventing him from jumping.
The rescued man was treated at the scene and was transported to a local hospital, in Sylmar, where he was admitted for a 72 hour mental observation.
Regardless of the issue we want to remind people there are people who care and resources available for help. If you find yourself with no one to turn to please call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or log on to the website at http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org there are resources available. The phone lines and website are staffed 24 hours a day.
Deputy Joshua Dubin
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