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Man climbs 400 feet up tower outside Orlando TV station

Posted at 12:24 PM, Sep 18, 2019
and last updated 2019-09-19 08:45:19-04

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Authorities say a man spent nearly eight hours on a 400-foot tower outside a central Florida television station studio.

Orlando police officers surrounded WKMG on Wednesday as crisis negotiators attempted to engage the man through a bullhorn.

WKMG reports traffic anchor Steve Montiero first noticed the man going into a secured area around 11 a.m. and then climbing the tower. Firefighters initially tried to climb after him, but the man just climbed higher. He eventually started a slow descent in the afternoon and made it safely to the ground.

Police investigators say they believe the man has a history of mental of illness.