Golden Gate Bridge Briefly Shut Down; Police Search for Climber

Update at 10:57 a.m.: Police apprehended a man who apparently stayed overnight on the south tower of the Golden Gate Bridge, leading them to briefly close the bridge to traffic on Monday morning.

"The investigation is ongoing," California Highway Patrol Sergeant Diana McDermottso told KQED's Aarti Shahani. "Our concern now is for... his medical health."

The CHP had the man examined by a medical team and planned to take him to San Francisco General Hospital, McDermottso said. She said they will not disclose his name if he has a medical condition and is not charged with a crime.

The bridge was fully opened, including sidewalks, by 10:45 a.m.

Update at 8:54 a.m.: Police reopened the Golden Gate Bridge at 8:52 a.m., but sidewalks remained closed and the California Highway Patrol promised a shuttle for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Police shut down the Golden Gate Bridge in both directions at 8:42 a.m. Friday morning, reportedly because they were searching for a man who climbed a bridge tower late Thursday and disappeared overnight in the fog.

Police spoke to the man between 1 and 2 a.m., according to the Oakland Tribune, quoting San Francisco police Officer Gordon Shyy.

The man had told police by phone that he was armed, Shyy said. When he climbed down close enough for officers to approach him, their own guns drawn, the man climbed back up and has not been seen since. The officers did not see the man brandish a gun, Shyy said.