Building a Lifeline: Golden Gate Bridge Suicide Safety Net Offers Hope and Second Chances
Discover the inspiring story of the Golden Gate Bridge suicide safety net, symbolizing hope and providing care Delve into the fight behind this life-saving measure and learn how to support someone in need A second chance at life awaits many
On September 25, 2000, Kevin Hines made a harrowing decision to climb over the railing of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Amidst the backdrop of gray skies, a shroud of white fog enveloped the surroundings. With a heavy heart, he gazed upon the turbulent, verdant waters and, with a surge of indescribable despair, he leaped into the abyss.
Hines expressed immediate remorse as soon as his hands released the rail, as he relayed to CNN. Plummeting from a height of 220 feet, he reached a velocity of 75 miles per hour. The Bridge Rail Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to curbing suicides on the bridge, stated that this velocity is comparable to that of a pedestrian getting hit by a vehicle traveling at such speed.
During the 4-second fall, Hines said the feeling of depression left his mind, and was replaced by a survival urge he described as almost instinctual.
"And at that time, all I wanted to do was live."
Following his rescue from the water, Hines underwent a surgical procedure to substitute three of his vertebrae with a titanium metal plate and pins. His recovery period lasted for four and a half weeks. Since then, Hines has embarked on a global journey to share his extraordinary testimony.
"I have encountered numerous individuals who have miraculously survived suicide attempts ranging from mild to extreme, and they all express a common sentiment," Hines disclosed. "They came to realize that their thoughts did not need to translate into actions."
According to the Bridge Rail Foundation, over 1,800 individuals have jumped from the Golden Gate Bridge since its construction in 1937. The initial incident occurred in the same year.
Hines is among the 39 individuals recognized for surviving this fatal plunge. Hines stated, "Nineteen individuals have emerged to share that they experienced the precise immediate remorse that I did."
The Golden Gate Bridge suicide safety net is seen in San Francisco on April 5, 2023.
Courtesy Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District
After years of debate over installing a suicide deterrent on the iconic bridge, a net is now nearing completion.
In 2018, the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District began building a net along the perimeter of the 1.7 mile long bridge.
How to get help
If you or someone you know is facing suicidal thoughts or mental health concerns, assistance is readily accessible.
In the United States: Contact or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Internationally: The International Association for Suicide Prevention and Befrienders Worldwide offer crisis center contact details for various regions across the globe.
The installation of a stainless steel net, positioned 20 feet below the bridge's sidewalk on both sides, is part of a $217 million project, as stated by Paolo Cosulich-Schwartz, the spokesperson for the Golden Gate Bridge. According to Cosulich-Schwartz, the net being installed is equivalent to the size of seven football fields.
The project aims to provide numerous individuals with a fresh opportunity in life. Hines acknowledged that not everyone who jumps may feel remorse, but he cannot help but empathize with those who do feel regret and were never granted another opportunity to opt for life.
"Recognizing that all the people that passed away might have wished they were still here⦠its a very troubling thing to think about," he said.
A symbol of hope and care
Kevin Berthia made an attempt to jump off the Golden Gate on March 11, 2005. However, instead of falling, he found himself desperately holding onto a railing for more than ninety minutes.
"I spun myself around and collided with the railing, grasping onto that slender four-inch cord," Berthia reminisced.
Clutching onto the cord, Berthia listened attentively as California Highway Patrol Officer Kevin Briggs engaged in a 92-minute conversation, persuading him to reconsider his decision. Though grateful to Briggs for rescuing him, Berthia couldn't help but express his belief that having a safety net in place could have profoundly altered the outcome of that fateful day.
If you suspect someone might be contemplating suicide,
1. Do not leave the person alone.
2. Remove any ï¬rearms, alcohol, drugs or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt.
3. Call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
4. Take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional.
Berthia added that she was desperately in need of a reassuring gesture to show that someone truly cared about him. She further explained, "I longed for a clear message of refusal."
According to bridge spokesperson Cosulich-Schwartz, the net serves two purposes: to decrease the occurrences of injuries and fatalities from jumping off the bridge, and to serve as the sign that Berthia had been searching for 18 years ago. Cosulich-Schwartz also emphasized that the net represents hope and support for individuals going through extreme hardships.
"He further emphasized that it serves as a significant, prominent, and enduring representation of the community's concern for one another. Additionally, it provides individuals with the opportunity for redemption, if required."
According to the bridge officials, the construction of the net is currently at 80% completion, and it is scheduled to be fully finished by December.
According to researchers, the establishment of this deterrent is not merely a temporary measure in suicide prevention.
A study conducted in 1978 on individuals attempting suicide at Golden Gate Bridge revealed that over 90% of those who were prevented from taking their own lives continued to live for many years without any further suicidal behaviors.
Sabrina Hernandez, Golden Gate Bridge District Board President, touches a net during a press on May 16, 2019.
Yalonda M. James/San Francisco Chronicle/AP
The fight for the net
Ever since the Golden Gates opened, organizations focusing on suicide prevention, such as the Bridge Rail Foundation, have persistently advocated for a means of discouraging suicides on the bridge. Initially, the intention was to elevate the rail, according to Hines. This proposed solution would be comparable to the 11-foot steel fence encompassing the George Washington Bridge in New York City.
The transportation district invited public comment on the potential project, and the opinions of the board and local residents were deeply divided.
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"We faced opposition due to concerns about obstructing the view and compromising the bridge's esthetic appeal," Hines informed CNN. "But I consistently question, what value do the visual aesthetics of a bridge hold compared to a precious human life?"
The funding for the safety net construction was approved by the bridges board of directors in 2014. According to a release from the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District, the engineers designed the Net in a way that minimizes impacts on the Bridge's views and appearance, although it was noted that the addition would still somewhat diminish the historic features' integrity.
Berthia recognizes that numerous individuals appreciate the allure and historical significance of the Golden Gate. However, he emphasizes the importance of not neglecting the voices of those who have experienced the tragic loss of their loved ones on that bridge.
As per the release, an average of thirty or more people succumb to suicide at the bridge annually, while law enforcement or other citizens manage to intervene and prevent countless others from doing so.
"According to the statement, a physical barrier is necessary to prevent this tragedy. The chosen design ensures the preservation of open, picturesque views, while effectively limiting access to the water below."
"I am immensely thankful that there will be no more loss of precious lives from the Golden Gate Bridge, sparing their loved ones, family, and caring friends from such a heartbreaking ordeal," expressed Hines. "I express my gratitude every day for the gift of life and the opportunity to witness this transformation."
If you are having thoughts of suicide or engaging in self-harm, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for free and confidential support available 24/7. This helpline can also provide guidance on assisting someone in crisis. For crisis support in Spanish, call 1-888-628-9454. Additionally, you can text CNQR to 741741 for free and confidential crisis support.
