Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
The man is escorted away from the bridge by the president's staff. BBC News
Istanbul
The Turkish president 'talked a man out of taking his own life'
The man was apparently preparing to jump to his death when Erdogan’s motorcade was passing by.
TURKISH PRESIDENT RECIP Tayyip Erdogan used his celebrated rhetorical skills to save a life yesterday, preventing a man from jumping off Istanbul’s Bosphorus Bridge.
The man was apparently preparing to jump to his death when Erdogan’s motorcade was passing over the bridge linking Europe with Asia after Friday prayers.
News footage showed Erdogan’s bodyguards bringing the sobbing man, who appeared to be in his early 30s, to talk to him through the window of his car.
After a few moments, the man can be seen kissing Erdogan’s hand. The man was then escorted to safety, the Dogan news agency reported.
It said police had been trying for almost two hours to talk the man out of suicide after he abandoned his car on the bridge and climbed over the side railing.
He has long been suffering from depression due in part to family problems, Dogan said.
Helplines:
-
Samaritans 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
-
Teen-Line Ireland 1800 833 634
-
Console 1800 201 890
-
Aware 1890 303 302
-
Pieta House 01 601 0000 or email mary@pieta.ie
-
Childline 1800 66 66 66
have your say