Radio host Iain Lee has been hailed a hero for helping save a suicidal man's life after keeping him talking for half an hour when he called into his show.
The man, whose name was only given as Chris, phoned the Late Night Alternative show on talkRadio and said he had taken an overdose after suffering from depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Lee kept him on the line, asking questions to work out his location so he could give as much detail as possible to emergency services.
Chris, who said he was nearly 60, told Lee he was in Plymouth and close to a nightclub.
Thanks everyone for your kind words. Been an odd day for so many reasons. I really appreciate your kind words.
Back on air at 10pm.
— Iain Lee – talkRADIO (@iainlee) December 20, 2018
The radio host, who appeared on I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! last year, has been candid about his own mental health problems in the past.
Just a few hours before the call, he had tweeted about the difficulties of reducing his anti-depressants.
Still cutting down on these anti-depressants. Venlafaxine if you must know. Feeling very nauseous tonight as a result and a bit teary. Chemicals, huh? Still, getting there. And the cats brought me a lot of joy today. Also, dreading Christmas. Tough time for a lot of people.
— Iain Lee – talkRADIO (@iainlee) December 19, 2018
As Lee spoke to Chris, who was slurring and incoherent at times, he offered words of reassurance.
"Chris, I love you brother, you deserve better than this," Lee said. "You deserve better than this, and whatever has happened, I promise you it can be sorted. I guarantee that whatever has happened, it can be sorted out.
"It might not be easy, but it can be sorted, I promise you. It is better than you doing this."
After nearly 30 minutes of keeping Chris talking, a police officer came on to the line and told Lee they had found the man. The DJ broke down at the news.
After the call, he tweeted: "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 for 30 minutes while he got harder to understand.
"Long periods of silence where I thought he'd died. F***, that was intense and upsetting. Thanks for your kind words. I really hope he makes it."
The radio host has posted several news stories on Twitter about the incident, saying it is not to "brag" about his actions but "just to let people know it doesn't have to be like this".
He has been praised by the emergency services and received a huge response on social media, with many praising his "heroic" actions.
Nice work, Iain. Anyone impressed by Iains good work should consider donating time or money (if they can, both in short supply at this time of year!) to the Samaratins or Lifeline. They do this stuff all the time! You could help them do it! Just not on the radio.
— Richard Morrison (@richard_m48) December 20, 2018
Just read about the incident on @iainlee's show last night. He might have thought he was just doing the right thing, but that is hero level stuff. The biggest tipping of my hat possible. You never know when you might have to save your own "Chris". https://t.co/gJHpk1AfUI
— Leroy (@LiamJR24) December 20, 2018
Commenting on the story, one Twitter user said: "He might have thought he was just doing the right thing, but that is hero level stuff. The biggest tipping of my hat possible. You never know when you might have to save your own 'Chris'."
In a later tweet, Lee said: "Thanks everyone for your kind words. Been an odd day for so many reasons. I really appreciate your kind words."
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) December 20, 2018
Inspector Kev Morley, whose officers helped Chris, said: "This is a very typical call for us sadly and December is a hard month for many.
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"We will do our best to direct him to long term support."
:: Anyone experiencing difficulties can contact Samaritans UK on 116 123, or by emailing [email protected]
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