News
Man, 61, stands on Mandai Columbarium 4th floor ledge
He was eventually coaxed down to safety.
October 21, 2024, 11:19 AM
A 61-year-old man scaled a protective barrier on the fourth floor of the Mandai Columbarium on Oct. 19 at around 2:30pm.
His actions drew the attention of several visitors, who panicked and asked him to come down.
Image via Shin Min Daily News
According to Shin Min Daily News, the incident occurred at around 2:30pm on Oct. 19, at Block J of Mandai Columbarium.
The man was clad in a striped shirt and wearing a face mask.
A witness told Shin Min Daily News that they urged him to step away from the ledge and return to safety, but the man refused, instead stepping closer to the edge of the parapet.
Someone called the police and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).
Coaxed down to safety
In response to Mothership's queries, SCDF said it received a call for assistance at about 3:10pm.
Officers deployed a safety life air pack as a precautionary measure, and rescuers from the Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (DART) were on standby as a precautionary measure.
The road was cordoned off by police cars for around 10 minutes, prohibiting other cars from entering.
The authorities managed to coax him down to safety, witnesses said.
When Shin Min reporters arrived at the scene around 4pm, the man was being medically examined.
The entire commotion lasted around two hours, said witnesses.
The police told Mothership that the man was apprehended under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act.
Said he worked at the columbarium
A cleaner working at the columbarium told Shin Min that he had previously seen the man at the columbarium two or three times in the past month.
He said that before the incident, he saw the man using his hands to rub the walls of the columbarium.
When asked what he was doing, the man said, "I'm working. Don't bother me."
"His hands are all white. It's not normal," the cleaner said.
Helplines
If you or someone you know are in mental distress, here are some hotlines you can call to seek help, advice, or just a listening ear:
SOS 24-hour Hotline: 1-767
Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019
Institute of Mental Health: 6389-2222 (24 hours)
Top photo via Shin Min Daily News
