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By Mark Gomez
The San Jose Mercury News
SAN JOSE, Calif. — San Jose police and firefighters this morning talked down a man who was threatening to jump off the McKee Road overpassing and onto Highway 101 in San Jose, according to law enforcement authorities.
The man, who crawled through a hole in the chain link fence on the overpassing and down onto the ledge of a freeway sign, was brought to safety by firefighters using a ladder and bucket attachment. He was taken into custody by San Jose police, ending an incident that lasted more than two hours, according to Jermaine Thomas, a police spokesman.
The man will be held for a psychiatric evaluation.
The incident wreaked havoc on the morning commute. At one point, the California Highway Patrol closed all southbound lanes of 101 near the McKee Road exit. One lane was opened as police and firefighters persuaded the man to come down.
All northbound lanes remained open, according to the CHP.
Authorities received a call of someone standing on the street bridge that passes over Highway 101 around 6:45 a.m.
San Jose police also blocked off a portion of McKee Road and East Julian Street. Eastbound traffic was blocked on East Julian Street at 28th Street and westbound traffic was blocked on McKee Road at 33rd Street, Thomas said.
Copyright 2008 The San Jose Mercury News