
Photo/ Supplied
Auckland commuters were shocked to see a person dangling from the East Tāmaki overbridge on Monday morning.
A 57-year-old man is in custody after an alarming publicity stunt in Auckland this morning.
Traffic on the Southern Motorway was blocked when a person could be seen hanging from the East Tāmaki overbridge, next to a sign saying "reduce suicide", using what is believed to be a full body climbing harness to suspend himself from the bridge.
The man, who is believed to behind the stunt, wrote on Facebook that the action was a bid to "raise awareness of the lack of suicide prevention in New Zealand".
Social media were quick to condemn the action, calling it disgusting, triggering to drivers and school children who saw it, and expressing sympathy for families who had lost whānau in this manner.
Police were notified of the incident on the Southern Motorway at about 7.46am.
Inspector Danny Meade said charges are being considered.
“Emergency services from across Tāmaki Makaurau have been put in a situation where considerable time and resources were tied up as we dealt with this incident, not to mention the inconvenience to the public due to the lane closures involved.
“This was a significant and unnecessary incident, that in no doubt will have impacted many people over the disturbing sight.
"It is also incredibly lucky this man’s reckless actions did not cause injury to himself, or any other road users.”
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