Elderly couple rescued from suicide attempt in Thane flat

THANE: Thane police and municipal rescue officials rescued an elderly couple from attempting suicide in their seventh-floor flat on Ghodbunder Road late Wednesday.

The couple, aged 70 and 60, had locked themselves inside their flat due to failing health, prompting their nephew in Bengaluru to alert the local police.

Yasin Tadvi, in charge of the Thane regional disaster management cell, said they received the emergency call around 11 pm from Kasarwadavli police. Upon arrival, officials found the couple in the act of preparing to take their own lives.

"The elderly couple sent a text message to their nephew who stayed in Bengaluru about their decision to commit suicide, who in turn alerted the local police," Tadvi explained.

Senior Inspector Sunil Patil said the police team responded within ten minutes, coordinating with the fire brigade to access the flat.

"The rescue teams initially attempted to gain entry from the neighbouring flat while another team broke open the main door of their flat as no one was answering the doorbell. Once inside, our teams found the couple ready to end their lives. If there had been a delay of a few more minutes, the couple might have taken the drastic step," said Tadvi.