How did two climbers bypass security to reach the Empire State Building top

TL;DR

Two climbers bypassed security by going through a hatch and reaching the top of the Empire State Building, where a proposal occurred. Eyewitness accounts describe confusion, delayed evacuation, and ongoing police and emergency response while the couple was at altitude. The incident raised questions about security and how the public observes such events firsthand.

Transcript

And uh I was just speaking with someone who was visiting here from from England and they were actually visiting the Empire State Building when this occurred. Uh and I want you to hear from her in one moment. She says that there was actually a proposal going on while this uh climb to the top was happening and I want to bring you in now. Julie, uh te... Read More

Key Insights

• The incident centers on two climbers who reached the top of the Empire State Building while bypassing normal security, triggering a response from police and emergency services.
• The security breach involved access through a hatch, which was typically locked, leading to questions about how the access point was left unlocked at that time.
• Eyewitness Julie Morris reported seeing the gate opened and the climbers heading upward, and stated that nobody warned visitors to leave or evacuate, resulting in a delayed response.
• A security guard initially said no one is allowed up top, but the climbers had already bypassed the gate, highlighting a disconnect between official rules and on site actions.
• The incident included a staged moment of a proposal at the top, which was later confirmed by the reporting team, changing the narrative from mere trespass to a personal event.
• Police and emergency vehicles were on scene, with sidewalk closures and ongoing investigation as authorities gathered comments from witnesses and the building for comment.
• The description mentions the height and exposure of the top antenna area, stressing how risky the climb would be without proper safety gear, even for trained climbers.
• There is an implication of a potential medical evaluation due to radiation exposure and the 36 minute duration spent at the top, suggesting longer term health considerations for those involved.

Questions & Answers

Q: What happened at the Empire State Building that drew reporters and witnesses?

Two climbers bypassed security and reached the very top of the Empire State Building, where they were observed by witnesses including a visitor named Julie Morris. The security gate was opened, and there is mention of a hatch that should have been locked being breached. The event led to police and emergency responders arriving, sidewalk closures, and investigations. A proposal occurred at the top, which became a focal point of subsequent reporting.

Q: How did the witnesses describe the security breach to the top?

Witnesses described that the mesh gate was opened and the climbers went up to the top, despite a security guard stating that no one was allowed up there. One witness noted that the hatch appeared unlocked, which allowed access that should have been prevented by standard security. The lack of immediate evacuation and the delay in responders becoming aware were also highlighted by witnesses.

Q: What did the witness say about the top being accessed without proper authorization?

The witness indicated that security claimed access was not permitted, yet the individuals bypassed that by going up to the top. The account suggests that security procedures failed or were circumvented, raising questions about how such access could occur and why the area was not evacuated sooner. The witness emphasized the unusual nature of the event and the ongoing police response.

Q: Did anyone warn visitors to leave after the climbers went up?

According to the witness accounts, no one from the Empire State Building told visitors to leave. The evacuation did not occur immediately, and people remained in place until police arrived and secured the area. This detail raises concerns about communication and response times during security incidents.

Q: Was there any indication of what the climbers did at the top besides standing there?

Eyewitnesses described waving a flag with a message and later being engaged in a proposal at the top. The scene included the couple posing and interacting at the very tip of the antenna, a location noted as extremely exposed and risky. The event shifted from a security breach to a personal moment that drew media attention.

Q: What was the response from authorities and bystanders when the climbers were found?

Police met the climbers at the top and they were taken into custody, with emergency responders nearby and multiple officers present. Bystanders observed the closure of the sidewalk and the gathering of ambulances, indicating a coordinated response. The report mentions a potential medical evaluation due to radiation exposure and the 36 minutes spent at the top.

Q: What health concerns were mentioned in relation to the climb?

There was mention of radiation exposure given the height and heightened exposure duration described, approximately 36 minutes at the top. Such exposure, combined with the thin, exposed ladder area, led reporters to suggest medical evaluation as a prudent precaution for those involved, though no specific medical outcomes were stated in the transcript.

Q: What did the interviewee speculate about the purpose of the climb and the proposal?

The interviewer and witnesses initially considered activism or a dramatic statement but later acknowledged that the explicit outcome appeared to be a proposal. The description notes that the gesture, while romantic to some, was perceived as reckless and imprudent given the dangerous access route and public safety concerns, culminating in custody and ongoing inquiries.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• A witness describes how two climbers bypassed security to reach the top of the Empire State Building and later were in custody. The scene included police, ambulances, and a blocked sidewalk as responders assessed the situation and awaited the climbers. The witness also noted the proposal and public reaction.

• The report captures the moment when the couple reached the top, the security guard's remark that no one is allowed up there, and the subsequent realization that the hatch had been opened. Evacuation did not occur immediately, and investigators began inquiries.

• The description emphasizes the thinness of the antenna area, the potential radiation concerns mentioned by a correspondent, and the overall disbelief at the bold climb and its outcome, including engagement and custody.”