KOCHI: A 39-year-old man’s life was saved in the nick of time following the timely intervention of a night patrol team from Ernakulam Town South police station in Kochi.
The man, Sarin, a Kollam native now residing with his partner in Kochu Kadavanthra, attempted suicide inside his bedroom late on Friday night.
The incident came to light when the Kerala Police shared details on its official social media handles, drawing wide praise for the team’s timely response.
The patrol officers had received an alert via the 112 helpline that lights were on inside an unoccupied house near the Kochu Kadavanthra Subramanya Swamy Temple. Locals suspected a possible trespass. Acting on the message, the team rushed to the spot, where residents informed them that the family staying there had moved out due to personal disputes.
Acting without delay, a squad member, with the help of a local resident, scaled the compound wall and entered through the open kitchen door. Inside, they found Sarin hanging in a bedroom.
“Showing presence of mind, the officers quickly lifted him, cut the cloth he was hanging from, and rushed him to Ernakulam General Hospital in their jeep. As the ICU was full, doctors administered first aid and advised shifting him to Kalamassery Medical College,” said P R Santhosh, station house officer of Ernakulam Town South Police Station.
At the time, Sarin’s partner was away at her residence in Perumbavoor. Preliminary findings suggest that family disputes prompted the attempt, the officer added. He confirmed Sarin has since recovered and been discharged after treatment.
The rescue team, which included sub-inspector Jayaraj P G and civil police officers Nitish and Sudheesh, has since been widely lauded for their courage and quick thinking.
(If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call the Sneha Foundation at 04424640050, Tele Manas at 14416 (available 24/7), or the Tata Institute of Social Sciences’ helpline at 02225521111, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.)