Popular New York City tourist attraction, the Vessel at Hudson Yards, bans solo visitors

The Vessel at Hudson Yards, a popular tourist attraction in New York City, will reopen this Friday, but no solo visitors will be allowed. Instead, admission will be restricted to groups of two or more.

In January, the attraction closed indefinitely after a man jumped to his death, marking the third death by suicide at the location in less than a year. 

Tourists come to the Vessel at the Hudson Yards to climb the spiral staircase that promises different angles, heights and views of the city, according to the Hudson Yards website. The staircase has about 2,500 individual steps in 154 flights of stairs. 

“The Vessel was envisioned as a shared, immersive design experience. Requiring visitors to attend in groups of two or more significantly enhances the safety of the experience,” Hudson Yards owner, Related Companies, told The New York Post. 

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Each individual who died by suicide reportedly came alone. In addition to the ban, security will be tripled at the structure and “screening procedures” have been put in place “to detect high-risk behaviors.”

At the entrance and on the Vessel tickets, there will be a National Suicide Prevention Lifeline message developed in partnership with the Born This Way Foundation, Lady Gaga’s nonprofit mental-wellness organization.

If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) any time day or night, or chat online.

Crisis Text Line also provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741.

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