Posted on 01/18/2007 7:59:42 AM PST by SmithL
At least 34 people leapt to their deaths from the Golden Gate Bridge in 2006, a sharp increase from the average of 19 people who commit suicide from the majestic span each year, authorities said Wednesday.
Another 70 people tried to jump last year but were stopped by police or bridge officials, an increase of 20 from the annual average, said Mary Currie, spokeswoman for the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District.
Marin County Coroner Ken Holmes released the number of 2006 bridge deaths on Wednesday, a little more than a week after a 16-year-old Mill Valley boy jumped from the landmark, focusing attention anew on the San Francisco phenomenon.
Currie said media coverage of the issue -- often highlighting the debate over installing a suicide barrier -- has increased over the past few years, and she suggested there is a link between that and the rise in bridge suicides.
Others, including San Francisco Supervisor Tom Ammiano, contend that discussion of the suicides is healthy and can help prevent needless deaths.
In his report, Holmes said that in addition to the 34 deaths confirmed by his office, the bodies of four people seen jumping from the bridge have not been recovered.
The number of confirmed deaths could increase, he said, "as both Marin and San Francisco authorities have additional unidentified bodies whose cause of death is consistent with a bridge jump.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
But of course. Every jump gets tons of publicity. Shoot, they even made a movie about the Golden Gate Jumpers. Why wouldn't suicide-seekers flock to this San Francisco landmark.
Instead of a barrier, install a diving board. Then the fire department will know where to look for the body...
The media promotes a death culture. It is no surprise that they are behind the rise in Golden Gate suicides.
On the farm we call this "culling the herd".....
"Indeed, if this precipice, a chosen and favourite spot of hers, had been less picturesque, if there had been a prosaic flat bank in its place, most likely the suicide would never have taken place.""
~Fyodor Dostoevsky~
The Brothers Karamazov
Translated by Constance Garnett
New York: The Modern Library, 1996, pp. 5-6
Do they look out to the ocean or at the bay before they say good-bye to this vale of tears?
Actually they don't publicize each one. They did that many years ago but thought it was encouraging people to jump. It probably did but the numbers show it's increasing anyway.
The movie was made by someone who tricked the bridge people by telling the film was about 1 year of the bridge not about the suicides.
San Francisco. Do they wear flowers in their hair?
You would have to put that a LONG way away from the bridge.
I've heard that the majority, like 80% or something, jump on the city side.
I once heard of a study concerning jumpers off of the Brooklyn Bridge, and the vast majority of them were facing the city when they jumped.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
What a waste of money. A total and complete waste of money.
What are "needful" deaths?
Inquiring minds want to know.
Suicide prevention? An activity which sounds noble, but simply redirects the insane to adopt messier alternatives which are hidden from view.
Beats having a real job...
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