San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge adds lifesaving feature

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This story discusses suicide. If you or somebody you realize is having ideas of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

The Golden Gate Bridge has completed the set up of a security internet designed to discourage folks from ending their lives on the San Francisco landmark, based on experiences on Wednesday, Jan. 3. 

Now, stainless-steel nets line the 1.7 mile bridge, marking the completion of a five-year undertaking to enhance security on the bridge. 

As of Jan. 1, “The suicide deterrent system … has been installed on the east and west sides of approximately 95% of the bridge,” stated the Golden Gate Bridge’s web site. 

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, JANUARY 5, 1933, CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE AMID GREAT FANFARE

“In some areas of the bridge, due to ongoing construction or design factors, vertical fencing is in place instead of or in addition to the net,” stated the positioning. 

 The security nets are situated 20 ft beneath the Golden Gate Bridge‘s sidewalk, and so they prolong out 20 ft from the bridge.

Net on golden gate bridge

The technique of establishing the chrome steel nets on the Golden Gate Bridge took 5 years.  (Liu Guanguan/China News Service/VCG by way of Getty Images)

They are constructed out of “marine-grade stainless steel that can withstand the harsh environment that includes salt water, fog and strong winds that often envelop the striking orange structure at the mouth of the San Francisco Bay,” stated the Associated Press.

The internet was designed to have as little visible affect on the enduring image of San Francisco as potential, stated the Golden Gate Bridge’s web site. 

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It is just not seen to vehicles driving on the bridge, however may be seen by pedestrians, the Associated Press stated. It was designed to have “minimal” interference with the bridge’s operations and upkeep. 

The design of the online was achieved with enter from the bigger group, the Golden Gate Bridge web site indicated.

“The selected design allows open, scenic vistas to remain intact, while preventing anyone from easily jumping to the water below,” the positioning famous.

golden gate bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge’s span between its two towers was the longest on this planet when it opened on May 27, 1937. (Getty Images)

Since the Golden Gate Bridge opened to the general public in 1937, almost 2,000 folks have dedicated suicide there by leaping off the bridge. 

“On average, 30 people or more die from suicide here each year,” stated the Golden Gate Bridge’s web site, including that “hundreds more are stopped from harming themselves through the efforts of the Golden Gate Bridge District Patrol, California Highway Patrol, other law enforcement and citizen intervention.”

In addition to the online’s capability to bodily catch individuals who bounce, the presence of the online itself might save lives, stated the Golden Gate Bridge’s web site. 

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“The purpose of the net is to reduce the number of deaths associated with individuals jumping off the bridge. The net is a proven design that deters people from jumping, serves as a symbol of care and hope to despondent individuals, and, if necessary, offers people a second chance,” the identical supply stated.

During the online’s building, there have been 14 confirmed suicides — about half of the common quantity the Golden Gate Bridge sees annually. 

The full pink moon over San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge

Nearly 2,000 folks have ended their lives on the Golden Gate Bridge, says its web site.  (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency by way of Getty Images)

“While the net was under construction, the majority of suicides occurred when people found gaps where netting was not yet installed and jumped,” stated the Golden Gate Bridge’s web site. 

There have been “several instances” wherein folks have been rescued after they jumped into the online, stated the web site.

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Only about 40 folks have ever survived leaping off the bridge, stated the AP.

One of these survivors, Kevin Hines, leaped from the Golden Gate Bridge in September 2000 on the age of 19.

“I’m so grateful that a small group of like-minded people never gave up on something so important.”

 He stated he instantly regretted leaping after he first let go, and he broke three bones in his again when he landed within the Pacific Ocean. 

Hines now works as a suicide prevention advocate.

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“Had the net been there, I would have been stopped by the police and gotten the help I needed immediately and never broken my back, never shattered three vertebrae, and never been on this path I was on,” stated Hines to the Associated Press. 

“I’m so grateful that a small group of like-minded people never gave up on something so important,” he stated. 

The Associated Press contributed reporting.

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