Caltrans Lead Structural Steel Painter

Department of Transportation

11/7/1991

Special Act Award (Gold)

Caltrans Lead Structural Steel Painter John Whitt, on November 7, 1991, performed an extraordinary act of heroism at great risk to his personal safety in the rescue of a distraught man, threatening suicide, from a 14-inch lateral beam on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. Shortly after Mr. Whitt left Caltrans West Bay Paint Yard, located directly under the west end of the Bay Bridge, a driver in a tow truck hailed him and advised that a man climbed over the side of the bridge. Mr. Whitt, disregarding his own safety and life, responded immediately by going over the side where he found the distraught elderly man standing on a 14-inch lateral of the floor system. Although Mr. Whitt had safety gear with him, there was no place to hook a lanyard in this particular area; if he lost his footing he would have plunged to his death. Mr. Whitt, often without a hand-hold of any kind, proceeded to talk to the elderly man who was attempting to balance himself on a beam. By this time, San Francisco Fire Department and Police Department arrived on the scene to negotiate with the would-be suicide victim. The man became agitated as others attempted to talk to him, responding positively only to Mr. Whitt’s voice. As Mr. Whitt continued to talk to the man, two other workers from the paint yard rigged up a safety line finally secured Mr. Whitt. Tired, cold and emotionally drained, Mr. Whitt continued to talk to the elderly man for approximately two hours before the man’s sister arrived and coaxed him to stretch his hand out to Mr. Whitt. As they made contact, Mr. Whitt immediately took the victim in a bear hug, held him until a harness could be lowered, placed it around him, and brought him safety up over the bridge rail.