California firefighter talks man out of jumping off a Hollywood overpass

LOS ANGELES, CA - -- A rookie firefighter in Los Angeles, California, helped convince a man who threatened to jump off an overpass in Hollywood to safely surrender after causing the closure of a main freeway Tuesday night.

The Los Angeles Fire Department said a rookie firefighter, Kenneth Fraser, was off-duty and heading home when he was pulled off the freeway.

When Fraser noticed the man on the overpass, he stopped his car, and went to go speak to him, authorities said.

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Fraser continued talking to the man, developing a rapport with him, according to the LAFD.

Authorities placed inflatable cushions underneath both sides of the overpass in case the man jumped.

Fraser continued speaking with the man, eventually convincing him to climb back over the side of the overpass. The man was taken into custody for a mental evaluation.

The fire department said Fraser has been on the job for less than four months.