13 Truck Drivers Block Highway To Form A ‘Safety Net’

Seeing 13 truckers parked under a bridge and blocking traffic on the highway in both directions is definitely unusual. But that’s exactly what other drivers have encountered in Michigan. As if the sight wasn’t bizarre enough, the reason they did it left onlookers even more stunned.

Michigan State Police Lt. Michael Shaw needed the public’s help in the early hours of a Tuesday morning. Luckily, he would get exactly what he needed from a group of selfless individuals. Today, the image of the 13 truck drivers leaves many speechless.

Seeing 13 trucks in a row, lined up under an Interstate 696 overpass in Detroit, Michigan, blocking traffic in both directions, doesn’t seem at first glance to be something to celebrate. But make no mistake, it certainly is. These trucks were there for an incredible and selfless reason. They were asked by the Michigan State Police (MSP) to do what they couldn’t do: help save a man’s life.

After Detroit police received a call that a man was threatening suicide by jumping from an overpass over Interstate 696, several local law enforcement agencies rushed to the scene with negotiators . Then police came up with an unexpected plan to protect against a worst-case scenario, according to CBS News. The trucks created a “safety net” under the underpass.

When officers arrived on scene, they calmly spoke to the man while others took to the highway, flagging down truck drivers and organizing them into a line under the bridge, to reduce the distance the man would fall if he jumped. , ABC News reported. Lieutenant Shaw said the trucks moved into position, packed closely together, “to make sure that if [the man] moved anywhere in that overpass, there was a semi-trailer there. MSP Metro Detroit later shared an image of the incredible effort on Twitter.

“This photo shows the work local soldiers and officers do to serve the public. But in this photo, we also see a man struggling with the decision to take his own life. Remember, help is available through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255,” they wrote alongside the image. “You can also call a loved one, a member of the clergy or 911. There are so many people who can help you make the choice to get help and live! We hope to never see a photo like this again,” they later added.

“We always want to make sure people realize there are many other options,” Lt. Shaw said of that message. And they should see from the image that others, even complete strangers, care. “There are 13 truck drivers who didn’t even know this guy and were willing to slide under this overpass to help him,” Shaw added.

Surprisingly, this wasn’t the first time police had made this kind of effort, Shaw said. And, showing the kind of people truck drivers are, he added: “We have never had a truck driver turn us away. » This is no small task either. In this particular case, the truckers were on site for many hours overnight.

“First, truckers lined up in the eastbound lanes of the highway. Then Michigan State Police also closed the westbound lanes as more tractor-trailers arrived,” CBS News reported. “Ultimately, a line of 13 large truck drivers remained on scene under the overpass for several hours until the situation was safely defused and the man was escorted by police to a nearby hospital.”

Lt. Shaw said the man eventually told officers he was having problems with his family. After about four hours, police were able to get the man off the ledge safely. While most of America slept, a quiet act of heroism took place and a life was saved as our truck drivers proved they did much more than drive miles across the country.

If you or someone you know is feeling depressed or suicidal, there is always help. When you find it hard to believe, remember this photo. The thirteen truck drivers who patiently waited for four hours are proof that there are always people who care, even if no one feels like they do. There’s always someone ready to catch you, literally. All you have to do is ask for help.