Since Trent
chooses the GW Bridge to fake his suicide, I thought you might like to know
what my research came up with.
chooses the GW Bridge to fake his suicide, I thought you might like to know
what my research came up with.
****
Interesting
facts about the George Washington Bridge
facts about the George Washington Bridge
When originally built in
1931, it was called Hudson River Bridge, but they soon decided it was too grand
for such a boring name and gave it a more memorable one.
1931, it was called Hudson River Bridge, but they soon decided it was too grand
for such a boring name and gave it a more memorable one.
Over 53 million people cross
the GWbridge in a year (in cars, on bikes or on foot)
the GWbridge in a year (in cars, on bikes or on foot)
Originally the towers were to
be encased with concrete and granite, but reviewers loved the bare steel beams,
so they left them bare. Had this not
been the case, I doubt they could have gained permission to add the second
level of traffic beneath the top, due to weight issues on the structure. Having
two layers of vehicle traffic makes the GW Bridge the only suspension bridge
with 14 lanes of traffic. 8 lanes on top and 6 in the lower deck.
be encased with concrete and granite, but reviewers loved the bare steel beams,
so they left them bare. Had this not
been the case, I doubt they could have gained permission to add the second
level of traffic beneath the top, due to weight issues on the structure. Having
two layers of vehicle traffic makes the GW Bridge the only suspension bridge
with 14 lanes of traffic. 8 lanes on top and 6 in the lower deck.
Now to the facts that would have helped Trent create a
better plan to fake his suicide:
better plan to fake his suicide:
GW Bridge gets more suicides
than all the other NYC bridges combined
than all the other NYC bridges combined
The bridge has a pedestrian
& bike path, which is open from 6 am to midnight.
& bike path, which is open from 6 am to midnight.
Cameras and patrol officers
monitor the pedestrian walkway.
monitor the pedestrian walkway.
There is NO netting to
prevent jumpers. If you can get over the fence, you can leap to your death.
prevent jumpers. If you can get over the fence, you can leap to your death.
The bridge stands 604 feet
above the water. At that height, if you jump, the water surface will feel like
concrete, even for an experienced diver. Death is a near certainty.
above the water. At that height, if you jump, the water surface will feel like
concrete, even for an experienced diver. Death is a near certainty.
I suppose
if a speed boat happened to pass over your impact site just before you, in a
proper diving position, hit the water you could survive, since the boat would
aerate the water, removing its concrete quality at impact. But generally
speaking, if you jump off the bridge, expect to live 6.5 seconds then splatter
on concrete water.
if a speed boat happened to pass over your impact site just before you, in a
proper diving position, hit the water you could survive, since the boat would
aerate the water, removing its concrete quality at impact. But generally
speaking, if you jump off the bridge, expect to live 6.5 seconds then splatter
on concrete water.
If you stand before the rail
and relive all the reasons why you intend to jump off the bridge, you will mostly
likely be secured by the police and taken to a psyche ward where hopefully
you’ll discover how to want to live.
and relive all the reasons why you intend to jump off the bridge, you will mostly
likely be secured by the police and taken to a psyche ward where hopefully
you’ll discover how to want to live.
There are NO LOITTERING signs
everywhere, and if you stop to enjoy the beautiful view for too long, a patrol
officer will question your purpose and advise you to move on. If you look sad
or distracted, you will probably be led off the bridge and questioned further.
everywhere, and if you stop to enjoy the beautiful view for too long, a patrol
officer will question your purpose and advise you to move on. If you look sad
or distracted, you will probably be led off the bridge and questioned further.
In 2013, there were 15
suicides and 49 interventions. That means your chance of successfully jumping
over the inconsequential barrier is less than 28% because either you aren’t able
to lift your body weight over the railing or you fail to act quickly. This is not a good suicide bridge for the
weak, the overweight, the short, or the procrastinator.
suicides and 49 interventions. That means your chance of successfully jumping
over the inconsequential barrier is less than 28% because either you aren’t able
to lift your body weight over the railing or you fail to act quickly. This is not a good suicide bridge for the
weak, the overweight, the short, or the procrastinator.
Your chance of dying if you manage
to get over the rail and jump is 99.9999999%.
to get over the rail and jump is 99.9999999%.
Trent’s original plan to fake
his death, was:
his death, was:
1)
At 3 a.m., on a
moonless night, drive a limo onto the bridge-sounds
simple, but he had to learn how to drive to do this.
At 3 a.m., on a
moonless night, drive a limo onto the bridge-sounds
simple, but he had to learn how to drive to do this.
2)
Leave his car in
the far left lane, cross to the pedestrian walkway (there’s a concrete barrier,
but you can climb over it) and wait until someone sees him staring down at the
water- Bad idea. Stopping the car on the bridge will
get securities attention at once.
Leave his car in
the far left lane, cross to the pedestrian walkway (there’s a concrete barrier,
but you can climb over it) and wait until someone sees him staring down at the
water- Bad idea. Stopping the car on the bridge will
get securities attention at once.
3)
Sneak off bridge
to NJ side- There is no sneaking. The bridge has lots
of cameras. He’ll be upgraded from jumper to terrorist when he leaves his car
in the middle of the bridge and walks to NJ.
Sneak off bridge
to NJ side- There is no sneaking. The bridge has lots
of cameras. He’ll be upgraded from jumper to terrorist when he leaves his car
in the middle of the bridge and walks to NJ.
4)
Flag a taxi on
the Fort Lee side. – First of all, he’ll be arrested
long before he reaches the Fort Lee side. But secondly, taxis do not lurk about
the CLOSED and LOCKED pedestrian paths at 3 am hoping for passengers. That’s
not how taxi’s work in NJ.
Flag a taxi on
the Fort Lee side. – First of all, he’ll be arrested
long before he reaches the Fort Lee side. But secondly, taxis do not lurk about
the CLOSED and LOCKED pedestrian paths at 3 am hoping for passengers. That’s
not how taxi’s work in NJ.
No wonder Detective Pascal called this the stupidest plan ever.
So he made some changes.
1)
He tells Trent
the location of a camera dead spot, so he can park there making it impossible
for him to be seen on any cameras.
He tells Trent
the location of a camera dead spot, so he can park there making it impossible
for him to be seen on any cameras.
2)
Trent then throws
his shoes and wallet into the water, wraps his shirt around a rock and tosses
it over. (He forgets to check for boats passing beneath, but thankfully there
weren’t any.)
Trent then throws
his shoes and wallet into the water, wraps his shirt around a rock and tosses
it over. (He forgets to check for boats passing beneath, but thankfully there
weren’t any.)
3)
The moment Trent
parks his car and climbs over to the pedestrian side, Pascal, following behind
him, puts on his lights and stops. He locates the barefooted, shirtless Trent,
and stuffs him inside his trunk, then grabs a search light and checks out the
pedestrian path for the benefit of the cameras further away. Finally, he calls in
a possible jumper.
The moment Trent
parks his car and climbs over to the pedestrian side, Pascal, following behind
him, puts on his lights and stops. He locates the barefooted, shirtless Trent,
and stuffs him inside his trunk, then grabs a search light and checks out the
pedestrian path for the benefit of the cameras further away. Finally, he calls in
a possible jumper.
4)
Once his partner
shows up to take over, he drives off, claiming he has a higher priority case.
Once his partner
shows up to take over, he drives off, claiming he has a higher priority case.
5)
He conveys Trent
(still in his trunk) to a closed airport where a plane is waiting for him.
He conveys Trent
(still in his trunk) to a closed airport where a plane is waiting for him.
Without the assistance of
Detective Pascal, who hates Trent, the fake suicide would have never worked.
Detective Pascal, who hates Trent, the fake suicide would have never worked.
Why would he help a man he
hates?
hates?
Because Mars saved his life
in Iraq and he did this for Mars. He puts his career on the line to help the
jerk fake his suicide. He’s not happy about it, but Mars called his debt, so he
did it.
in Iraq and he did this for Mars. He puts his career on the line to help the
jerk fake his suicide. He’s not happy about it, but Mars called his debt, so he
did it.
So we owe the fabulous new
‘Trevor Campbell’ to Mars. Otherwise, old Trent would be in prison, and I don’t
think that would have made him nearly as fabulous as Trevor is.
‘Trevor Campbell’ to Mars. Otherwise, old Trent would be in prison, and I don’t
think that would have made him nearly as fabulous as Trevor is.
So let’s discover more about
the NEW Trevor Campbell (AKA Trent Lancaster)…
the NEW Trevor Campbell (AKA Trent Lancaster)…
Climbing Out
of Hell
of Hell
Book 4 of
the series
the series
A Long Road
to Love
to Love
Romantic Comedy
Billionaire Trent Lancaster has destroyed his
relationship with the only woman who ever loved him. Now we discover the full
truth of what happened.
relationship with the only woman who ever loved him. Now we discover the full
truth of what happened.
He actually had reasons for his behaviors.
Still, there is no going back. Trent has lost Carrie
forever, but he would rather die than marry Coco, so he does just that. Trent
gives away most of his possessions, fakes his death, and starts over with a new
face and a better attitude in a small town in Iowa where his half-brother Sam
is sheriff.
forever, but he would rather die than marry Coco, so he does just that. Trent
gives away most of his possessions, fakes his death, and starts over with a new
face and a better attitude in a small town in Iowa where his half-brother Sam
is sheriff.
Losing his true love has fundamentally broken Trent to
his core. His only chance for happiness is to become the better man Carrie
had always seen inside him.
his core. His only chance for happiness is to become the better man Carrie
had always seen inside him.
True change is not easy. Can Trent grow up and become
a man we can love?
a man we can love?
Excerpt
Sam
burst into the kitchen, frowned at Trent, then focused on Dani. “Leroy is at it
again. I thought you said you were going to hide the damn thing?”
burst into the kitchen, frowned at Trent, then focused on Dani. “Leroy is at it
again. I thought you said you were going to hide the damn thing?”
“I
did. But there aren’t many places one can hide an AK-47 rifle.”
did. But there aren’t many places one can hide an AK-47 rifle.”
“Well,
you hid it worth shit because it’s raining lead again at the downtown square!”
you hid it worth shit because it’s raining lead again at the downtown square!”
She
gripped her head as if it might explode.
gripped her head as if it might explode.
“What’s
the problem?” Trent asked.
the problem?” Trent asked.
Sam
rolled his eyes. “Iowa passed a law allowing blind people to carry guns in
public. So her grandfather, who is blind as a bat, sits on a bench in the
square and shoots his AK into the trees.”
rolled his eyes. “Iowa passed a law allowing blind people to carry guns in
public. So her grandfather, who is blind as a bat, sits on a bench in the
square and shoots his AK into the trees.”
“What’s
he trying to shoot?”
he trying to shoot?”
“Pigeons,”
Sam and Dani answered at once. She glared him into silence and continued her
reply. “He likes pigeon soup. A Pakistani doctor told him it would prevent
strokes.”
Sam and Dani answered at once. She glared him into silence and continued her
reply. “He likes pigeon soup. A Pakistani doctor told him it would prevent
strokes.”
“Well,
he’s giving me a stroke,” Sam snapped. “You have to make him stop!”
he’s giving me a stroke,” Sam snapped. “You have to make him stop!”
“I’ve
talked to him until I’m blue in the face. He won’t listen to me. Most of the
time he thinks I’m three-years old. Who listens to a three-year-old?” She threw
her hands up in frustration and turned back to the grill.
talked to him until I’m blue in the face. He won’t listen to me. Most of the
time he thinks I’m three-years old. Who listens to a three-year-old?” She threw
her hands up in frustration and turned back to the grill.
Trent
didn’t care for the way Sam pushed Dani. Grandparents were impossible to boss
around…at least his had been. “Why don’t you
talk to him?’
didn’t care for the way Sam pushed Dani. Grandparents were impossible to boss
around…at least his had been. “Why don’t you
talk to him?’
Sam
released a hurricane of air. “Because the mayor told me to stay away from him,
since he is not breaking any laws, and any attempt on my part could result in a
lawsuit against the town.” He eyed Trent. “You
should talk to him.”
released a hurricane of air. “Because the mayor told me to stay away from him,
since he is not breaking any laws, and any attempt on my part could result in a
lawsuit against the town.” He eyed Trent. “You
should talk to him.”
“Sam,
Trevor’s been in town an hour. You know Gramps doesn’t trust people right off.”
Trevor’s been in town an hour. You know Gramps doesn’t trust people right off.”
“Neither
do you, yet here he sits, like an old friend, watching you cook him dinner.”
do you, yet here he sits, like an old friend, watching you cook him dinner.”
She
rescued the burgers off the grill, slapped them both on buns, and shoved one at
Sam. “This is your hamburger. Trevor is holding out for braised lamb.”
rescued the burgers off the grill, slapped them both on buns, and shoved one at
Sam. “This is your hamburger. Trevor is holding out for braised lamb.”
“Point
still stands. Look, I think he can do the job. I intended
to hit him with a ticket but he was so nice I sent him to you instead. He’s a
likable guy. Let’s send him out and see if he can stop this madness.”
still stands. Look, I think he can do the job. I intended
to hit him with a ticket but he was so nice I sent him to you instead. He’s a
likable guy. Let’s send him out and see if he can stop this madness.”
“No!”
“Then
I’m shutting this bar down for safety violations.”
I’m shutting this bar down for safety violations.”
She
stared at him in shock. “What violations?”
stared at him in shock. “What violations?”
“Don’t
worry. Mr. Olsen will find something. He owes me big time after last night’s
poker game.”
worry. Mr. Olsen will find something. He owes me big time after last night’s
poker game.”
Trent
stood up. “Sam, you’re digging yourself into a hole. Your initial solution was
excellent, and frankly I’m honored you think so well of me. I’ll go talk to him
right now. Just tell me how to get to Pigeonville.”
stood up. “Sam, you’re digging yourself into a hole. Your initial solution was
excellent, and frankly I’m honored you think so well of me. I’ll go talk to him
right now. Just tell me how to get to Pigeonville.”
Sam
grinned and slapped him on the back as he led him out of the kitchen. “Way to
man up. Seriously, I’ll owe you one if you can get the gun away from Leroy and
bury it six feet under.”
grinned and slapped him on the back as he led him out of the kitchen. “Way to
man up. Seriously, I’ll owe you one if you can get the gun away from Leroy and
bury it six feet under.”
Trent
just hoped being a nice
guy didn’t get him buried six
feet under as well.
just hoped being a nice
guy didn’t get him buried six
feet under as well.
Links
Just Released May 1, 2014
Book Four of the series:
A Long Road to Love
Climbing out of Hell
Other books in the A Long Road to Love series
Book One
Worst Week Ever
“Love this book and couldn’t stop laughing from beginning to end.”
5 stars – Alves – Amazon
5 stars – Alves – Amazon
Book Two
Oh Stupid Heart
“Be warned though, this book is completely different from The
Worst Week Ever. Yes, there is still humor, dry wit, situations that you would
think…NOT AGAIN but this one humanizes Trent more.” 5 stars – Brian’s Mom –
Amazon
Worst Week Ever. Yes, there is still humor, dry wit, situations that you would
think…NOT AGAIN but this one humanizes Trent more.” 5 stars – Brian’s Mom –
Amazon
Book Three
Coming to Reason
Once again, Ms. O’Connor has written a brilliant book about the
complexities of relationships, good and bad. Again, to me, the book is the best
break up book EVER and it left my heart singing in the end. Best.Book.Ever…
complexities of relationships, good and bad. Again, to me, the book is the best
break up book EVER and it left my heart singing in the end. Best.Book.Ever…
Other Books by Liza O’Connor
Liza O’Connor
Author Bio:
Liza lives in Denville, NJ with her dog Jess. They
hike in fabulous woods every day, rain or shine, sleet or snow. Having an
adventurous nature, she learned to fly small Cessnas in NJ, hang-glide in New
Zealand, kayak in Pennsylvania, ski in New York, scuba dive with great white
sharks in Australia, dig up dinosaur bones in Montana, sky dive in Indiana, and
raft a class four river in Tasmania. She’s an avid gardener, amateur
photographer, and dabbler in watercolors and graphic arts. Yet through her
entire life, her first love has and always will be writing novels. She loves to
create interesting characters, set them loose, and scribe what happens.
hike in fabulous woods every day, rain or shine, sleet or snow. Having an
adventurous nature, she learned to fly small Cessnas in NJ, hang-glide in New
Zealand, kayak in Pennsylvania, ski in New York, scuba dive with great white
sharks in Australia, dig up dinosaur bones in Montana, sky dive in Indiana, and
raft a class four river in Tasmania. She’s an avid gardener, amateur
photographer, and dabbler in watercolors and graphic arts. Yet through her
entire life, her first love has and always will be writing novels. She loves to
create interesting characters, set them loose, and scribe what happens.
FOR MORE
INFORMATION ABOUT
INFORMATION ABOUT
LIZA O’CONNOR & UPCOMING BOOKS:
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Wow, that's a kewl bridge! I'm scared of them, and go as fast as I can across them!
Well, they will let you run across the bridge or bike, but be warned if you wear a look of panic, you'll probably be stopped and questioned as a terrorist. So I'd stick to driving if I were you and you will go neither faster or slower than the car in front of you. One Saturday It took me 2 hours to cross the bridge. 2 hours!!! I could have walked across several times by then.
I've been learning so much from your posts this week, Liza! And that is one cool bridge! Of course, I'm terrified of heights, so bridges scare the crap out of me, lol. Congrats on the release!!
Me too. I had no idea how little I knew until I'd write a scene and then fact check what my characters wanted to do. For a fun, playful romance, this book required me to research Deaths by walking in NYC, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Where the priests live (a well kept secret BTW. GWBridge and their suicide/terrorist precautions, What can actually be done to change a face, The laws surrounding Iowa allowing blinds to carry loaded weapons in public, The dangers of bullets falling from the skiy, the diseases you can get from blow jobs, Nebraska fixing their children safe… Read more »
Liza always has such interesting posts. I love reading the details! Thanks for sharing about GW Bridge. I guess suicide will be done somewhere else where the statistics are higher. 🙂
LOL, There are easier bridges to die from.
Well, this demonstrates a very good lesson in fact checking, lol. Fortunately, this worked out and made for a great blog afterwards! And, well now I've had fun imagining how many ways this could have gone wrong and I think and hope, anyone who was considering jumping off a bridge will reconsider, realizing it's just too much work and they'd be better off staying alive!
Yes, however, one theory why they don't use nets is because if a person is determined to jump off something, it's better for innocent bystanders that they do it here than a building. But their stats of stopping a suicide is impressive.
I had no idea how hard it was to jump off a bridge. Tweeted.