Golden Gate Bridge suicide barrier study approved

SAN FRANCISCO, Sep 23 (Reuters) Officials took the first step to stop would-be suicides from using a world-famous landmark -- San Francisco's graceful Golden Gate Bridge.

The Bridge's board of directors yesterday approved a two-year, 2 million dollars study into the feasibility of erecting a suicide barrier on the span.

''We're looking at trying to identify if there is a workable solution,'' spokeswoman Mary Currie said.

There have been more than 1,200 reported suicides since the bridge opened in 1937.

This means that every few weeks on average the 3.2 km-long bridge serves as a platform for people intent on taking their lives by climbing over its 1.2-metre-high barrier and leaping to their deaths into the chilly waters 67 metres below.

The twin-towered bridge connects San Francisco with Marin County to the north and spans the narrow strait known as the Golden Gate that joins San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

REUTERS BDP RN0857