Police coax woman from ledge in downtown Seattle

Police coaxed an unidentified woman from a fourth-floor ledge of a downtown apartment building late this morning.

The woman was to be taken to Harborview Medical Center for observation, according to Seattle police. Spokesman Jeff Kappel said she is being taken in for an involuntary evaluation by the hospital's psychiatric staff.

The woman, who was talked safely inside by 11:55 a.m., had climbed onto the ledge shortly after 8 a.m.

She appeared distraught and ignored officers' earlier pleas as she stood on the ledge about 50 to 70 feet above the street at the Josephinum building, 1902 Second Ave.

Officers leaned out of two windows to talk to the woman. They passed cigarettes and water to her.

At one point, a crowd of about 100 people had gathered below.

Second Avenue between Stewart and Virginia streets was closed to traffic, but the streets were opened by midday.