By CNN Wire Staff
CNN.com
TULSA, Okla. — A man who climbed a communications tower in Tulsa, Oklahoma, six days ago finally agreed to come down on Tuesday, ending what police there said was the longest standoff in their history.
The 24-year-old man stepped off the tower and into a rescue bucket shortly after 6:30 CT, according to Capt. Ryan Perkins, special operations team commander with the Tulsa Police Department.
He was immediately taken to a hospital to be treated for dehydration. The man, who has a history of mental illness, will undergo a health evaluation, said Perkins.
“Patience really paid off here,” he said, praising his team for not forcing an outcome. “We were going to wait until he decided to come down.”
CNN affiliate KTUL broadcast images that showed the man, dressed in shorts, stepping into the rescue bucket. He appeared weak and sank to the floor as the lift was lowered to the ground.
Perkins said the man initially scaled the tower to escape security after being found trespassing on a nearby building.
At first he told police he just had some things to think about, but his behavior grew increasingly erratic the longer he stayed. The man had not taken any liquid since Friday, said Perkins.
According to the captain, the six-day standoff is the longest in the history of the Tulsa Police Department.
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