Man threatening to jump off overpass shuts down I-75 in south Houston County

A man attempting to jump off an overpass at Mile Marker 136 in Houston County forced the closure of southbound lanes of Interstate 75 for 30 minutes during the lunch hour Thursday.

The overpass is above Perry’s Sam Nunn Boulevard, which was also shut down.

“He straddled the railing — one leg on, one leg off,” Perry police Capt. Heath Dykes said. “He cut himself, and we tackled him and got him down on the ground and got the knife away.

“We were able to get cuffs on him, get EMS to him and get him the help he needs.”

The man cut his neck and arm before officers were able to him down to the ground, Dykes said. The wounds did not appear life-threatening but likely would require stitches.

The man used a razor-blade utility knife used to cut carpet, Dykes said. The man was in his 40s.

Perry police, fire and emergency medical service responded to the incident.