I-64 traffic stalled as man climbs down side of busy Charleston bridge

By Jeff Jenkins

October 9, 2022 - 7:25 pm

The man stood on the ledge of the busy bridge for several minutes Sunday afternoon. (Photo courtesy Jerry Waters)

The man leaned up against the bridge pier before eventually jumping into the Kanawha River. (Photo courtesy Jerry Waters)

Charleston first responders look over the bridge where the man apparently used a stationary bridge to get underneath the span. (Photo courtesy Jerry Waters)

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A man used a bridge ladder and a rope to climb down the busy Interstate 64 Eugene A. Carter Memorial Bridge in Charleston Sunday afternoon.

The unidentified man stood on a lower ledge of the bridge for several minutes before jumping into the Kanawha River.

Other Security/Police Activity on I-64 WB at MM 58.0.
1 of 3 westbound lanes are closed.
Kanawha County. pic.twitter.com/Fi7D7OaBSi

— West Virginia 511 (@WV511) October 9, 2022

Charleston police were in the river and transported the man to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The incident was reported at around 2:30 Sunday afternoon. Police closed 1 of 3 westbound lanes after arriving on the scene.

Traffic was back to normal by 4:30 p.m.

Several units with the Charleston Fire Department were also on the scene.