by Timothy Rutt
Altadena deputies stopped a man who was apparently attempting to hang himself in Farnsworth Park Tuesday afternoon.
According to a press release from Altadena Sheriff Capt. John S. Benedict, deputies reponded to a call about a man attempting to commit suicide in the park at about 4 PM. The release said that witnesses reported a man was trying to hang himself in the tennis court area.
When they arrived at the park, "Altadena deputies arrived and were directed to a man clinging to the top of 30-40 foot light pole with a rope around his neck," the press release said.
The man told deputies he was tired of being in pain and wanted to end his life. It was clear to the deputies that he was determined to take his life as he started to lean away from the pole and tighten the noose on his neck.
Deputies Eric Salvato, Arin Davidian, and Andres Bilbao began to speak to the man and were able to convince him to remove the rope from around his neck. After a prolonged conversation with the man, he eventually climbed down from the light pole. After descending the light pole, he was met by deputies and fire personnel and rendered first aid.
It is unknown what prompted the man to want to take his life. The man was later taken to a local hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.
