Catalan emergency services successfully rescued a man threatening to jump from a 60-metre construction crane in Barcelona's Sant Martí district on Wednesday, 22 April, afternoon. The complex operation involved the Mossos d'Esquadra, the Bombers de la Generalitat, and the Sistema d'Emergències Mèdiques (SEM), lasting approximately 90 minutes.
Initial Response and Negotiation
Mossos d'Esquadra officers were the first to arrive at the Calle del Perú construction site. They quickly activated an emergency response protocol. Two officers rapidly climbed an adjacent building. This positioned them at the man's height. Other agents secured the immediate area. They evacuated over 20 workers from the site to ensure public safety. Additionally, they established a safety perimeter with support from SEM and the Bombers. The man, aged around 30 and of Senegalese origin, was in a highly unstable emotional state. He stood precariously dozens of metres above the ground.
The two Mossos officers maintained constant visual and verbal contact with the man. They became the sole negotiators for a significant part of the operation. They tried to calm him as he repeatedly requested to speak with his mother in Senegal. His emotional state changed rapidly and unpredictably. This caused fears for his immediate safety at any moment.
Challenging Rescue Efforts
Initial attempts by the Bombers to reach the man with a standard basket truck proved insufficient. The crane's extreme height, approximately 60 metres, prevented access. This challenge required mobilising a second, taller vehicle with extended reach. Meanwhile, other fire service personnel tried to access the crane on foot. This multi-pronged approach aimed to establish contact and secure the individual.
Once the second, larger truck arrived, firefighters could finally reach the man's level. They then took over the direct negotiation from the Mossos officers. After a prolonged period of intense discussion, rescuers successfully fitted the man with a safety harness. They also facilitated a phone call for him to speak with a family member. During this critical phone conversation, the man suddenly launched himself into the void. The safety harness, however, immediately engaged and prevented his fall. Emergency teams kept him securely attached until they could fully bring him to safety. Dozens of people watched the tense scene unfold from the street below. Many recorded the dramatic events on their mobile phones.
Post-Rescue Intervention
Bombers eventually lowered the man safely to the ground using the basket. However, once on solid ground, he refused to exit the basket. He also declined to receive medical attention from paramedics. Mossos d'Esquadra officers again took charge of the situation. Mediation alone proved insufficient to resolve his resistance. They used proportional force, working closely with medical teams, to immobilise him. They then transferred him to an ambulance for further assessment. The man was subsequently evacuated to the Psychiatry emergency service at Hospital del Mar. He remains admitted there for specialised care and observation.
Emergency Services Praised
The coordinated efforts of the three emergency services were critical in preventing a certain death. The Mossos d'Esquadra played a particularly key role in the initial minutes of the incident. They also helped contain the overall situation effectively. This high-risk, successful operation occurred shortly after the Mossos celebrated the Diada Nacional de les Esquadres. This annual event, typically held around Sant Jordi, recognises agents for their meritorious actions. The officers from the Sant Martí police station involved in this rescue may receive recognition next year for their bravery. The Sant Martí district is a vibrant, densely populated area of Barcelona. It is home to approximately 240,000 residents. This incident highlights the critical and often dangerous work of emergency responders in urban environments.
The man is now receiving the necessary psychiatric support at Hospital del Mar. This incident underscores the importance of swift and coordinated action by emergency services in high-stakes situations. It also brings attention to the availability and need for mental health support within the community.
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Originally published by El Caso (El Nacional). Read original article.
