HINSDALE, N.H. - A member of the Brattleboro Police Department averted a public suicide on Wednesday when he managed to calm down an emotionally upset man that had climbed the bridge linking the town to Brattleboro and threatened to kill himself.

Police responded to the Bridge Street bridge at approximately 1:15 p.m. on a report of a man climbing the structure.

The first officer to arrive began speaking to the man, who was not identified, and discovered he was distraught and talking about taking his own life.

The Brattleboro Fire Department, Hinsdale Police Department and Rescue Inc. also responded to the scene.

The officer talked to the man for about 15 minutes and was able to convince him to climb down voluntarily and seek professional help. The man was transported to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital.

Bridge Street and Route 119 were closed to traffic during the incident and reopened at roughly 1:45 p.m.

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