Photographers Arrested for Climbing Ben Franklin Bridge

Authorities say they're lucky they weren't hurt
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 25, 2017 6:51 PM CDT
Photographers Arrested for Climbing Ben Franklin Bridge
Ice floats under the Ben Franklin Bridge in front of the Camden, NJ, Waterfront on the Delaware River on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015.   (AP Photo/The Philadelphia Inquirer, Tom Gralish)

The good news: Martin J. Romero-Clark and Andrew Lillibridge probably got some awesome shots. The bad news: The two photographers were arrested early Tuesday after climbing the Ben Franklin Bridge, which spans the Delaware River to connect Philadelphia and New Jersey. Their 250-foot climb to the top of a tower got the bridge closed for 103 minutes and mass transit shut down, Philly.com reports. Authorities say it's the first time anyone has climbed the bridge. Police were alerted after alarms and security cameras were triggered and someone called in to report a suspected jumper; seven rescuers from Delaware River Port Authority brought the men down, with photo equipment in their bags. They face felony charges including criminal mischief, interference with transportation, and causing or risking widespread damage. (More weird crimes stories.)

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