Elderly woman attempts suicide in Dragon Centre, saved by safety net

An 83-year-old woman attempted suicide in Dragon Centre in Sham Shui Po by jumping off the escalator on the 9/F but was luckily rescued by a safety net on the third floor. She was later rescued by firefighters and sent to hospital. 

Police received reports about a person falling from height and landing on the safety net in the mall at around 9.30 am this morning. 

As firefighters arrived, they secured themselves with safety belts and approached the older woman as they loaded her on a stretcher and removed her away from the safety net. 

The woman was then sent to Princess Margaret Hospital. 

Live sources said the elderly woman was dining alone at a Chinese teahouse on the 9/F before the incident. 

The police investigation found that the woman named Lee had suffered from depression for many years. Officers also checked the security footage and found Lee jumped off the escalator. 

Family members revealed Lee was recently in a bad mood because of her depression. 

The safety net comes alongside Hong Kong’s first indoor roller coaster that ceased operation in 2003 without any incident happening. 

As the rail track and safety net have been installed ever since, it is not the first time the safety net has saved lives. 

In February 2010, a couple was having an argument over the study of their K2 daughter, and the emotional mother threw the daughter off from the seventh floor to the fourth floor. 

Although the daughter was saved by the safety net on the fourth floor, the mother jumped off and plunged straight to the first floor to her death. 

If you or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts, help is available. Dial 2896 0000 for The Samaritans or 2382 2007 for Suicide Prevention Services. 

You can also call Suicide Prevention Services at 2382 0000 or CEASE Crisis Centre of Tung Wah Groups of Hospitals at 18281. 

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