Bridge of death.

I was informed recently that I have been lagging in my blogging lately. Seems the old nine to five is getting to me.

Tonight you’re in for a treat! I offer you:

Bridge of Death, Why Depressed People Choose to End Their Lives on the Happiest Bridge on Earth

The Golden Gate Bridge was once known for its picturesque appearance, it’s amazing length, and it was the epitome of San Francisco.

Now it is known for one thing: it’s the best, most captivating way to take one’s life. On average the Golden Gate helps take the life of one person every two weeks. There has been up to 1500 jumps to today’s date.

The 220 foot distance from the bridge to the water take approximately four seconds to cover from the time the jumper leaves the bridge to when they hit the water. This is at a rate of 120 km/h.

A few FUN facts:
As of this year, only 26 people have survived the jump.
Sarah Rutledge Birnbaum is the only one to have survived the jump twice (can you say omen from God much?).
The founder of Victoria’s Secret, Roy Raymond, jumped and died.

“Attempts to introduce a suicide barrier have been thwarted by engineering difficulties, high costs, and public opposition. The estimated cost of a barrier is between $15 and $20 million.”

Well isn’t that the suxors? Too bad for the depressed! We can’t afford to chalk up that wee bit to help save your life.

It’s been decided that “discouraging” suicides is best, Jump for Life is a program that was created last year. The program is designed to make the Golden Gate seem “a less attractive place to take one’s own life”. Does anyone else notice the absurdity that whole notion is spewing?! I cannot believe that nothing is being done.

Eric Steel made a documentary that will be out this year entitled “The Bridge”. It documents 19 people jumping their last jump (literally, he placed cameras on the bridge) and interviews with their families. Their families at the time of the interviews did not know that Steel had footage of their children/siblings/parents jumping. That would make a person feel dirty I would think.

I hope you find this as half as remarkable as I do. I seriously cannot believe that a place like that does not have barriers like the Eiffel Tower, Empire State Building and CN Tower have. I mean come on, do we have to reach a certain number before something is done? Sadly I think the answer’s yes.