Thrissur/Vatanappally: A quick and coordinated response by the Vatanappally Police on the night of August 1 helped save the life of a young man attempting suicide.

The incident unfolded around 9.30 pm when Civil Police Officer (CPO) Soumya, on duty at the station’s phone desk, received a distressing call: “I am going to end my life.” It was the first time Soumya had received such a call, but she remained composed. She tried to keep the caller engaged and talking. The young man said he was struggling with family issues and felt he couldn’t go on.

“I tried to calm him down, but it was clear he was overwhelmed,” recalls Soumya. “It’s someone’s life, right? I did my best. I even told him we could call his family to the station and talk with them.”

Despite her efforts, he seemed firm in his decision. Acting swiftly, she alerted Senior Civil Police Officer Firoz, who was managing the General Diary. Firoz spoke to the youth, obtained his number, and then made a video call. On the screen, he saw the youth with a noose made from cloth around his neck. The young man again repeated his decision and abruptly ended the call. Though the officers attempted to contact him again, he didn’t respond.

Meanwhile, his location was being traced using the phone number. A team comprising Firoz, George Bastin, and Shyam was dispatched and reached the man’s residence at Kacherippady West, Thalikulam. With the help of local residents, they identified the house. Although only one room had its lights on, there was no response to their repeated knocks.

“We located the house and rang the bell several times, but there was no response,” says Firoz. “A dim light was visible inside. We looked through the window and saw him hanging. We broke the door open and cut him down.”

Fortunately, they weren’t too late. He still had a faint pulse. The officers administered CPR before calling an ambulance. He was first taken to Daya Hospital in Valapad and later shifted to the Medical College Hospital after his family was informed. “He may have called the station because he lives alone and didn’t want his body to be discovered days later. But that call ended up saving his life,” Firoz says. The youth has since recovered and returned to everyday life.