Community Quick-Thinking Rescue Saves Food Delivery Rider from Suicide Attempt on Nonthaburi Bridge

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Kaoded.

 

A food delivery rider was dramatically rescued from a suicide attempt on the Phra Nang Klao Bridge in Nonthaburi after a heated dispute with his long-term girlfriend left him emotionally distressed.

 

Officers from Rattanathibet Police Station and volunteer rescuers from the Poh Teck Tung Foundation responded to an emergency call from a concerned passerby who spotted a man in an orange rider uniform sitting precariously on the outer railing of the outbound lane of the Phra Nang Klao Bridge, heading toward Tha It Intersection.

 

Upon arrival, responders found the man, later identified only as “Mr. A,” aged 32, seated on the edge of the bridge near a red motorcycle parked nearby. Concerned for his safety, volunteers began to engage the man in conversation to de-escalate the situation. After a tense moment, rescue volunteer Phutthawan Wongtae seized the opportunity to safely pull Mr. A away from the ledge.

 

The man, visibly shaken and in tears, was taken to a safe location beneath the bridge to calm down. During questioning, Mr. A revealed he had fallen into emotional despair after a serious argument with his girlfriend, with whom he had been in a relationship for several years. She had reportedly blocked him on all communication channels and he had been turned away after attempting to visit her home.

 

Overwhelmed by the situation, Mr. A said he saw no way forward. While recounting the ordeal to police officers, he sobbed uncontrollably and clung to one of them in a moment of emotional release.

 

Volunteer rescuer Phutthawan Wongtae said he had spotted the man while driving to his assigned duties and felt something was wrong. “I circled back and notified the police,” he said. “When I approached, he wouldn’t say anything. I was worried he might jump, so I quickly grabbed him before anything happened.”

 

After ensuring Mr. A was out of immediate danger, police attempted to contact his girlfriend, but she did not answer. Officers then contacted his relatives, who were asked to come and take Mr. A home for further support and monitoring.

 

Authorities praised the swift response and bravery of the rescue team and urged anyone experiencing emotional distress to seek help.

 

If you or anyone you know is in emotional distress, please contact the Samaritans of Thailand 24-hour hotline: 02 713 6791 (English), 02 713 6793 (Thai) or the Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai). Please also contact your friends or relatives at this time if you have feelings of loneliness, stress or depression. Seek out help.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Kaoded 2025-06-21