PASADENA >> Concert-goers heading to a Rihanna and Eminem concert were stopped in their tracks Thursday by a man who threatened to jump from a 210 Freeway overpass, authorities said.
Both directions of the 210 Freeway were shut down, along with the Metro Gold Line shortly before 7 p.m. after the apparently suicidal man was spotted on the outside of the bridge railing, Pasadena police Lt. Ed Calatayud said.
A cushion was put in place beneath the overpass as a precaution, Pasadena Fire Department officials said.
“The crisis negotiations team that was there talked to him for about 25 minutes or so, and convinced him to come back over,” the Calatayud said.
The man, who was in his 20s, was taken to a hospital for psychiatric evaluation, the lieutenant said.
The incident unfolded as tens of thousands of fans crowded into the Rose Bowl ahead of an anticipated concert featuring Rihanna and Eminem.
The closure caused traffic to back up for miles.
On the westbound side of the 210 Freeway, traffic was jammed all the way to the 605 Freeway.
Pasadena fire officials announced about 7:20 p.m. that the man was down from the overpass. The freeway opened minutes later once firefighters cleared their equipment from the roadway.