MIRI: A man believed to have been attempting to take his own life on Lutong Bridge was safely rescued by police on Tuesday after officers spent about 20 minutes persuading him to step away from the edge.
The incident unfolded shortly before 1 pm after members of the public spotted the local man behaving suspiciously on the bridge and immediately alerted police.
According to Miri police, the report was received at about 12.50 pm. The caller informed officers that a man, dressed in a dark-coloured shirt, denim shorts and wearing a motorcycle helmet, appeared to be preparing to jump from the bridge into the river below.
Responding swiftly, a two-member Mobile Patrol Vehicle (MPV) team from the Miri District Police Headquarters was dispatched to the scene.
Upon arrival, the officers engaged the man in conversation, calmly negotiating with him for approximately 20 minutes in an effort to de-escalate the situation. Their persistence paid off when the man eventually agreed to step back from the edge, allowing officers to bring him to safety without incident.
He was later taken to Lutong Police Station for further action.
Police said the man, believed to be in his 30s, was experiencing serious family-related problems. His family members were subsequently contacted and called to the police station.
The Officer-in-Charge of Lutong Police Station also advised both the man and his family to seek constructive ways of resolving their domestic issues and stressed the importance of not resorting to self-harm during times of crisis.
Miri police urged members of the public facing personal, financial or family difficulties to seek support from family members, trusted friends or the relevant agencies, rather than making irreversible decisions in moments of despair.
