PATHUM THANI – Police have drawn widespread praise after swiftly rescuing a man attempting to take his own life by jumping from a pedestrian bridge in Thanyaburi district.
The rescue occurred about noon on Thursday, following an emergency report received by the Pratunam Chulalongkorn police radio centre that a man was attempting to jump from the footbridge on Phahon Yothin Road in tambon Prachathipat.
Pol Col Adirek Photipan, chief of Pratunam Chulalongkorn police station, ordered an urgent response. A patrol unit led by Pol Capt Phanthat Trikon was dispatched and successfully subdued the man, bringing him safely down from the bridge.
Pol Capt Phanthat said the patrol team had just completed an emergency response drill at Robinson Department Store when they received the report.
On arrival, they found traffic police already trying to calm the man by engaging him in conversation while Rangsit municipality was asked to dispatch an inflatable rescue cushion.
After assessing the situation, Pol Capt Phanthat decided there was no time to wait for additional equipment, believing the man was likely to jump if the standoff continued.
He instructed a traffic officer on the opposite side of the bridge to keep the man distracted through conversation. Meanwhile, he crouched low, moved out of the man's line of sight, crawled toward him, then launched a surprise tackle and safely restrained him.
The 36-year-old man was brought down without injury and taken to Pratunam Chulalongkorn police station for questioning.
The man told officers he no longer wanted to live because he felt rejected by his family.
Initial checks found no evidence of drug involvement, although officers discovered sedative medication in his possession. They believe he may not have eaten or taken his prescribed medication before the incident.
The Pathum Thani Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office has been contacted to provide further care and assistance.
Locals and witnesses praised the police team for their rescue.
