Man Sent to Hospital After Climbing National Christmas Tree
Written by SOURCE on December 22, 2018
A man was sent to the hospital for psychiatric evaluation after climbing the National Christmas Tree on Friday night, NBC4 Washington reports. Some of the lights on the tree, which is located near the White House at the Ellipse, were reportedly damaged during the incident.
JUST IN: A man has climbed the National Christmas Tree outside the White House.
Police believe he is some kind of emotional distress.
Negotiations with the man are underway.https://t.co/fO0LlZAVRc
— Shomari Stone (@shomaristone) December 22, 2018
U.S. Park Police describe the man, who has not been identified, as being “in some kind of emotional distress.” Police had to negotiate with the man to get him away from the lighted tree. TMZ reports that the man climbed somewhere between 15 to 20 feet high. Negotiators were able to convince the man to come down by 7 PM. The incident began at around 5:45 PM.
CHRISTMAS TREE CLIMBER VIDEO: Police and fire crews responded to the National Christmas Tree Friday night when an ’emotionally distressed’ man climbed it. MORE DETAILS: https://t.co/zk9y2aEDQD pic.twitter.com/1mXhWu0sTA
— FOX 5 DC (@fox5dc) December 22, 2018
Trump and Melania were present at the ceremonial lighting of the tree back in late November.
The area will be closed for the remainder of the evening.
