ORLANDO, Fla. — News 6 WKMG reports a man scaled a 400-foot tower outside of its TV station earlier Wednesday and since has come down.
An anchor at the station said the man was wearing gym clothes and carrying a backpack. The station said the man climbed over a barbed-wire fence at the station before climbing the tower.
Law enforcement responded to the station on John Young Parkway near Orange Blossom Trail. Police and crisis negotiators spent hours talking to the man through a bullhorn to try to get him down safely.
WKMG said it's not known why the man climbed the tower.
Police told the station they have identified the man, who is said to have a history of mental illness. The message being sent to him was, "We're here just to help you."
"The safety of our community, our employees and this gentleman are of paramount concern to us at WKMG," said Jeff Hoffman, vice president and general manager of WKMG-TV. "We are thankful for the Orlando Police Department and Orlando Fire Department's prompt response and hope this comes to a safe conclusion."
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