Hudson Yards' Vessel closed to public after 3rd suicide
People visit The Vessel at the Hudson Yards on Dec. 31, 2020, in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - The centerpiece sculpture at a massive development on Manhattan's West Side has been closed to the public, and the developer is looking at suicide prevention efforts after three deaths in the past year.
The Vessel, a 150-foot-high sculpture in the shape of an inverted beehive made up of stairways and platforms in the Hudson Yards development that opened in March 2019, has been the site of three suicides, the most recent of which was on Monday.
The sculpture is comprised of 154 interconnecting flights of stairs with 80 landings and almost 2,500 individual steps. The attraction requires time-specific tickets but the reservation system has been put on hold. A message on the attraction's website simply states that it is closed.
TALLEST OBSERVATION DECK IN WESTERN HEMISPHERE AT HUDSON YARDS
The New York Times reported Wednesday that Related Companies was talking to psychiatrists and others about how to reduce the potential for future deaths.
Get breaking news alerts in the FOX5NY News app. Download for FREE!
Lowell Kern, the chairman of Manhattan Community Board 4, told the Times that a Related representative told him the sculpture was closed until further notice, and that the board would be informed of preventative measures that would be taken before the Vessel was re-opened to the public.
The Vessel was created by British designer Thomas Heatherwick.
If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, please contact The National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-8255. Here are some additional resources:
- NYC WELL 888-NYC-WELL (888-692-9355) nycwell.cityofnewyork.us
- NYS COVID-19 Emotional Support Line 844-863-9314 omh.ny.gov
- NJ Mental Health Cares Help Line 866-202-HELP (866-202-4357) nj211.org/mental-health-resources