Man dangling from overhead wire in downtown Vancouver plummets onto fire truck

An attempt to evade police officers led a man to swing from an overhead cable for more than 45 minutes Saturday afternoon before dropping onto a strategically-stationed fire truck in downtown Vancouver, authorities say.

The man, who was not immediately identified, had been involved in an unspecified disturbance when he climbed onto the roof of the Little Conejo restaurant, 114 W. Sixth St., around 6 p.m. Saturday, in a bid to elude police, according to Vancouver Fire Capt. Raymond Egan.

The man began chucking bricks down below, shattering several windows and endangering gathered first responders, Egan said. Videos provided by authorities showed the man dangling from a cable strung 20-feet above street level. At some point he removed his shirt.

The man remained uncooperative during the impromptu acrobatic display, Egan said.

“He didn’t want help getting down,” the fire captain said. “It was difficult to try and help him, even though he didn’t want it.”

Egan said utility workers determined the cable was not electrical. Firefighters positioned Engine 1 beneath the man to lessen his fall, which came as the man attempted to rest his feet on a second line.

Police took the man into custody and later transported him by ambulance to a hospital for medical evaluation. A police spokesperson didn’t immediately respond for comment Sunday.

—Zane Sparling covers breaking news and courts for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at 503-319-7083, zsparling@oregonian.com or @pdxzane.

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