A team of truckers parked on Interstate 680 in Omaha as first responders helped someone suffering a mental health crisis.The incident occurred around 10:15 a.m. Monday morning near Blondo Street on I-680 when officers saw a woman holding onto the fence on the interstate bridge, according to authorities.Omaha police said they worked with the Nebraska State Patrol and semi-truck drivers to shut down the interstate. A firefighter used a ladder on top of one of the trucks to help the woman down.The woman was not injured, but first responders took her to the hospital where she was placed under protective custody, according to authorities.”Par for the course. It’s really not surprising when I see photos or videos in social media of truck drivers doing the right thing,” said Kent Grisham.Grisham is the president of the Nebraska Trucking Association.He said many over the road drivers do these kinds of good deeds — it’s just not often captured on camera.”It’s really part of the culture and people don’t realize that there’s this long history of truckers doing great things out on the nation’s highway,” Grisham said.He said drivers often stop for accidents, car fires, or help officers by creating rolling road blocks.Grisham said there are so many good deeds done, there’s an entire organization dedicated to recognizing them.”Professional truck drivers who put the needs of the community and the needs of that person over the need to make a few more miles down the road. Trucking angels, as they call them,” Grisham said.Grisham said drivers aren’t usually trained for mental health emergencies but do have safety trainings and CB radios to help communicate when something needs done, just like this call around 10 a.m. Monday.”It’s really part of the makeup of American trucking,” Grisham said.A reminder for anyone who needs help or sees someone experiencing a crisis, 988 is the number to call. The new hotline works like 911 but will provide mental health help based on the area code of the person who calls.
A team of truckers parked on Interstate 680 in Omaha as first responders helped someone suffering a mental health crisis.
The incident occurred around 10:15 a.m. Monday morning near Blondo Street on I-680 when officers saw a woman holding onto the fence on the interstate bridge, according to authorities.
Omaha police said they worked with the Nebraska State Patrol and semi-truck drivers to shut down the interstate.
A firefighter used a ladder on top of one of the trucks to help the woman down.
The woman was not injured, but first responders took her to the hospital where she was placed under protective custody, according to authorities.
“Par for the course. It’s really not surprising when I see photos or videos in social media of truck drivers doing the right thing,” said Kent Grisham.
Grisham is the president of the Nebraska Trucking Association.
He said many over the road drivers do these kinds of good deeds — it’s just not often captured on camera.
“It’s really part of the culture and people don’t realize that there’s this long history of truckers doing great things out on the nation’s highway,” Grisham said.
He said drivers often stop for accidents, car fires, or help officers by creating rolling road blocks.
Grisham said there are so many good deeds done, there’s an entire organization dedicated to recognizing them.
“Professional truck drivers who put the needs of the community and the needs of that person over the need to make a few more miles down the road. Trucking angels, as they call them,” Grisham said.
Grisham said drivers aren’t usually trained for mental health emergencies but do have safety trainings and CB radios to help communicate when something needs done, just like this call around 10 a.m. Monday.
“It’s really part of the makeup of American trucking,” Grisham said.
A reminder for anyone who needs help or sees someone experiencing a crisis, 988 is the number to call. The new hotline works like 911 but will provide mental health help based on the area code of the person who calls.
