Woman saved from suicide bid in Gujarat

SURAT: In a heart-thumping operation, a 41-year-old depressed woman, who was planning to jump off the 10th floor balcony of her building in posh Vesu area late Sunday night, was rescued by firemen.

Fire department sources said that the woman had locked herself up in the balcony of her apartment around 10pm on Sunday. Fearing that she may take the extreme step, the family members called the police control room and the fire department was subsequently informed.
On realizing the gravity of the situation, fire department pressed all available sources to save the woman. “We rushed in our turntable ladder truck which can go up to 54 metres. Fearing that she might jump when we try to reach her, we all installed a safety jumping cushion,” said a fire official.
Meanwhile, another team of firemen prepared itself to reach the balcony through a rope suspended from the balcony right above 10th floor.
All this while, the rescuers were shouting to convince the woman to not jump. “It was a critical situation, so we continuously talked to her to divert her mind,” the official said.
However, a fireman was able to jump into the balcony through the rope and he pulled the woman backwards.
The operation lasted for about 30 minutes but during the entire time, the family members and the other residents of the complex were nervous and on their toes.
Fire officials said that the woman had attempted suicide twice in the past due to her mental health condition. “The family members said that she is a patient of clinical depression because of the death of her uncle some years ago and of her father last year,” the fire official said.