Rescuers seen rappelling down industrial building in Commonwealth to rescue man
Last Thursday (20 Aug) night, a 33-year-old man was seen sitting on a ledge of a building in Commonwealth.
He has since been apprehended under the Mental Health Act.
Footage of the incident posted on Threads showed rescuers rappelling down the side of the building to rescue him.
Source: @afyz.suave on Threads
Rescuers rappel down Commonwealth building, set up safety life air pack
The Original Poster (OP) recorded the incident on his way home and shared the clip on social media on 21 Aug.
In the clip, at least three rescuers rappelled from a Commonwealth building rooftop to the floor below.
Source: @afyz.suave on Threads
More of them were seen on an intermediate floor of the building.
Source: @afyz.suave on Threads
Rescuers had also set up a safety life-air pack at the foot of the building.
Source: @afyz.suave on Threads
Man on ledge of Commonwealth building assessed to likely pose danger to himself
In response to queries from MS News, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said it received a call for assistance at about 8pm on 20 Aug.
When officers arrived, a 33-year-old man was spotted sitting on the ledge of an outdoor garden in Block 1 Commonwealth Lane — the address of an industrial building.
Source: Google Maps
Officers from SPF’s Crisis Negotiation Unit and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) responded after they assessed that the man might pose a danger to himself.
Man rescued, sent to NUH
SCDF, which was alerted at about 8.55pm, told MS News that it deployed two safety life air packs at the location as a precautionary measure.
Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (DART) rescuers deployed nets before rappelling down from the unit above.
The man was brought to safety at about 10.40pm — almost three hours after he was spotted — and conveyed to the National University Hospital in a conscious state.
He was subsequently apprehended under Section 7(1) of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act 2008, which states that the police can apprehend anyone believed to be a danger to themselves or others.
Helplines available
In July, the Samaritans of Singapore said there were a total of 441 suicide deaths in 2024, with a 50% increase among adults aged 30 to 39.
Suicide is also the second leading cause of death among this age group.
65.8% of the deceased individuals were male.
Here are some helplines available for those struggling with mental health issues:
- National mindline: 1771, 6669-1771 (WhatsApp)
- Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767, 9151-1767 (WhatsApp)
- SAF Hotline (For SAF Personnel): 1800 278 0022
- Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019
- Care Corner Counselling Centre (Mandarin): 1800-353-5800
- Silver Ribbon: 6386-1928
Also read: 49-year-old woman locks herself in Bukit Panjang flat, apprehended under Mental Health Act
49-year-old woman locks herself in Bukit Panjang flat, apprehended under Mental Health Act
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Featured image adapted from @afyz.suave on Threads.
