7 SEP: Safety procedures for tours at the top of Auckland’s landmark Sky Tower are being reviewed after a man threatened to jump 192 metres to the ground yesterday.
Auckland’s Sky Tower.
Police spent four hours negotiating with the 40-year-old on the 1.2m-wide walkway around the tower, which is the centrepiece of the big Sky City hotel and casino complex.
"We now have him in custody. He is believed to have mental health issues and is in hospital for a check-up," an officer told media.
The man was also said to have some immigration problems.
The tour company says it has procedures in place to ensure the safety of customers and staff.
Sky Walk customers are checked with a wand metal detector like those used by airport security before going outside, and wear a jump suit without pockets.
Walkers are attached in two places, with front and rear attachment points. If someone undid their front attachment, it would be impossible for them to undo the rear attachment, a spokeswoman said.
"We have had 18,000 customers since SkyWalk opened in 2007 and this is the first incident of this nature.
"The processes and procedures in place were implemented exactly according to plan and we are very pleased with the safe outcome of the exercise.
"As a matter of course we will be reviewing our processes and procedures."
