Iain Lee has been praised for saving a suicidal man’s life by keeping him talking on his radio show for half an hour until emergency services arrived to help him.
The TalkRADIO presenter listened to the man, who was believed to be from Plymouth, after he called into the show on Wednesday evening and revealed he had taken an overdose and was lying in the street, dying.
Iain said he spoke to the man for around 30 minutes while his producer worked with emergency services to track the man down.
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Iain later told listeners: “Tonight we took a call from a man who had taken an overdose. He was lying in a street in Plymouth, dying.
“We managed to keep him online, get a description of what he looked like and was wearing, work out where he was and send an ambulance and police to him.”
He continued: “Kept him on the phone for 30 minutes while he got harder to understand. Long periods of silence where I thought he’d died.
“[Expletive], that was intense and upsetting. Thanks for your kind words. I really hope he makes it.”
He also shared the story on Twitter and fans rushed to praise Iain for what he did.
Tonight we took a call from a man who had taken an overdose. He was lying in a street in Plymouth, dying. We managed to keep him online, get a description of what he looked like and was wearing, work out where he was and send an ambulance and police to him. Kept him on the phone
— Iain Lee – talkRADIO (@iainlee) 20 December 2018
for 30 minutes while he got harder to understand. Long periods of silence where I thought he’d died. fuck, that was intense and upsetting. Thanks for your kind words. I really hope he makes it.
— Iain Lee – talkRADIO (@iainlee) 20 December 2018
In a separate tweet, he wrote: “Thanks everyone for your kind tweets. I’m a bit stunned after that call. Actually more than a bit. Don’t be alone. The Samaritans can help 116 123.”
Thanks everyone for your kind tweets. I’m a bit stunned after that call. Actually more than a bit. Don’t be alone. The Samaritans can help 116 123.
— Iain Lee – talkRADIO (@iainlee) 19 December 2018
Meanwhile, Devon and Cornwall Police Inspector Kevin Morley reached out to Iain to thank him.
He wrote on Twitter: “My officers that attended and are now dealing with the caller.
“This is a very typical call for us sadly and December is a hard month for many. We will do our best to direct him to long term support.”
My officers that attended and are now dealing with the caller. This is a very typical call for us sadly and December is a hard month for many. We will do our best to direct him to long term support. @DC_Police https://t.co/HjIGhopQ7q
— Insp Kev Morley (@InspMorley) 20 December 2018
Iain replied: “Thanks for your good work Inspector. Our best wishes to the team.”
One fan tweeted Iain: “I was listening it was really traumatic. You did a brilliant job, you and the team. Well done.”
Another wrote: “Didn’t hear it myself but sounds like a distressing thing to be part of. Good work sir. Terrible time of year for some and easy to forget that. Good man Iain.”
Thanks for your good work Inspector. Our best wishes to the team. https://t.co/M6qhwye6ZD
— Iain Lee – talkRADIO (@iainlee) 20 December 2018
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A third added: “Well done to you all in such a difficult situation. You probably saved his life. I hope he is OK and getting the help he needs now.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or suicidal ideation, contact the Samaritans for support and advice.
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help-you/what-speak-us-about/if-you%E2%80%99re-worried-about-someone-else https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help-you/what-speak-us-about/signs-you-may-be-struggling-cope