Jack Johnson, Boulder City Review

A man threatening suicide at the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge fell to his death today, Thursday, Bureau of Reclamation spokesperson Rose Davis said.

Hoover Dam Police responded to a call at about 10:30 a.m. that a man had crawled over the railing on the bridge and was hanging from the other side, she said.

Davis said dam police were unsuccessful in talking the man away from the railing, and at around 12:15 p.m. turned the incident over to Las Vegas Police, who were already at the scene.

Roughly 15 minutes later, the man fell to his death, she said.

“He let go or whatever and he fell down and hit some rocks and went into the water,” Davis said.

Davis said she did not know the details of the moments leading up to the man’s death, but said it was unlikely that Las Vegas Police tried to grab the man, since he was already over the railing.

“It’s generally you try to talk them out of it, but if there is an opportunity you probably go for it,” she said.

A Bureau of Reclamation boat was stationed beneath the bridge on the Colorado River and began collecting remains, and a National Park Service boat also arrived to assist with the collection, Davis said.

The man’s identity was not immediately available.

Davis wished to inform the public that there are resources for people to get help if they are feeling suicidal.

“There’s lots of mental health workers and metal health lines to call,” she said.

This is the third suicide at the bridge since opening in October 2010.

A 60-year-old California jumped from the bridge April 7.

The bridge overlooks Hoover Dam from 900 feet. The rail on the pedestrian walkway is 4 feet, 6 inches high, a foot higher than the rail on the south side of the bridge which doesn’t have pedestrian access. There is no fencing or safety netting.

Davis said there was a car parked in a lot near by bridge but it was unclear if the man drove it there.

Members of the Metro, Nevada Highway Patrol and SWAT were seen driving south on U.S. 93 towards the dam.

The Boulder City Chamber of Commerce reported at 12:17 p.m. that U.S. Highway 93 is closed at the Hacienda hotel-casino.