The Star/Asia News Network
Thursday, Nov 29, 2012
GEORGE TOWN: A hawker's attempt to jump off the Penang Bridge was foiled following swift action by Fire and Rescue Department members.
The man, who was standing on the bridge guard rail, was pulled to safety by several firemen who rushed to the scene at 1.30am yesterday.
Several family members, who arrived at the scene, had pleaded with the 50-year-old man not to jump.
It is learnt that the man had earlier called his son, who is a member of the Voluntary Patrolling Unit (PPS), on Tuesday night to tell him that he had decided to end his life over "family problems".
The man's son called other unit members for help and they found him at the bridge.
They contacted the Fire and Rescue Department as the man threatened to leap if they got any closer to him.
The man, who lives in Mount Erskine, was heading towards Butterworth where his wife and four children live.
He was later handed over to the police.
