WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. — Charleston Highway has reopened in West Columbia after police say they safely resolved the situation, which disrupted traffic for more than two hours on Thursday afternoon.
West Columbia police say their crisis negotiation team safely talked a 59-year-old man down from a transmission tower around 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the intersection of Charleston Highway, Williams Street and Airport Boulevard after after receiving a call for service at 4:20 p.m.
With the assistance of the West Columbia Fire Department, Cayce Fire and Police Departments, and Lexington County Fire Department, the man was lowered to the ground without injury, according to police. The man was then transported to a local hospital for medical and mental health evaluations.
“This type of call illustrates how our officers assist those in a mental health crisis," West Columbia Police Chief Marion Boyce said. "I am thankful we could bring [the man] down safely and make the needed resources available."
