Man scales 250-foot-high Roosevelt Island Tram tower in NYC
An unidentified hooded and masked individual managed to scale the towering Roosevelt Island Tramway on Monday evening, prompting a dramatic rescue operation by the NYPD. The 20-year-old suspect was spotted casually walking along the gangway of the tramway’s 250-feet-tall support tower on the Manhattan side, as captured in a shocking video obtained by The Post.
In the video, the urban climber can be seen pausing to check his phone and even venturing onto an I-beam that barely accommodates his feet. Concerned New Yorkers alerted 911 about the figure climbing the tower just before 7 p.m., leading to a swift response from the police.
Responding officers utilized climbing gear to ascend the tower, with an NYPD helicopter providing aerial support. As the officers approached the suspect, he defiantly spread his arms out towards them. Below the tower, ESU officers and FDNY firefighters watched the unfolding drama from Andrew Haswell Green Park.
After reaching the top of the tower, the courageous cops secured the suspect in safety gear and safely brought him down to ground level without any injuries. The individual was then taken to Weill-Cornell Medical Center for evaluation, with charges pending against him.
Although the climber’s motive remains unclear, the police stated that there is no indication of any association with a protest or cause. The incident is currently under investigation. Notably, in 2004, an Astoria man was arrested for a similar stunt of climbing the Tramway tower, highlighting the risks associated with such actions.
It is worth mentioning that a hidden camera reality show called “Impractical Jokers” pulled a prank a decade ago, involving a character climbing to the top of the tower. While the NYPD did not confirm if the show had approval for the stunt, a reality television producer emphasized the importance of obtaining clearance from the city for such risky activities.
In conclusion, the daring escapade on the Roosevelt Island Tramway serves as a reminder of the potential dangers of urban climbing and the swift response required by law enforcement agencies to ensure public safety.
