Eight hours later, man who climbed Orlando TV tower makes his way down safely

Orlando, Fla — updated - A man climbed a broadcast tower Wednesday morning at Orlando television station WKMG.

The man who climbed a 400 foot tower outside the WKMG-TV studios in Orlando and refused to come down, finally descended safely after nearly eight hours. It all started just after 11 a.m Wednesday and crisis negotiators spent the day trying to coax him down safely.

After four hours, Orlando firefighters started to climb the tower with equipment to help bring him down, but the man climbed higher to the top of the structure.

Around 6 p.m. after more than six hours on the tower, the man police called Alex, began to slowly descend. When he took his final steps onto the ground, Orlando fire rescue and police were waiting with an ambulance.

It is still unclear at this time what his motive was and what charges he will face.

1:15 p.m.

Police said they were called at approximately 11:15 a.m. about a man on the tower on North John Young Parkway near North Orange Blossom Trail after someone discovered a backpack and noticed the man climbing the tower.

In a news conference police said they believe the man is in his 30’s or 40’s and they do not know why he climbed the tower.

At the time of this post, crisis negotiators are talking to the man in English and Spanish.

No other details were given.