A radio host kept a suicidal caller on the line until help arrived and it’s extraordinary stuff
Radio presenter Iain Lee – you might remember him from I’m A Celebrity or some of the many other things he’s done – was presenting his show on TalkRadio when he took a call from a listener who said he had overdosed.
What happened next was a remarkable half hour of radio as Lee and his fellow presenter Katherine Boyle got a description of him and his whereabouts and alerted the emergency services.
This is how it played out, as told by Twitter Moments.
1.
Just about to go to sleep and @iainlee is helping a guy on the phone who wants to kill himself, how he kept him on the phone I don’t know. You did amazing you too @FlippinKath Jesus.
— Jordan Ladley (@jordanladley) December 19, 2018
2.
https://twitter.com/tomroles/status/1075530037200326656
3.
I absolutely can’t believe what I’m listening to. Iain and Kath are battling to save this guy’s life as they wait for the ambulance and try and find where he is. Absolute heroes. https://t.co/TUjcvuqFcX
— Hollie-Anne Brooks | Liverpool N2 (@HollieAnneB) December 19, 2018
4.
The show has taken a heavy turn…and in no way is this a criticism.
How @iainlee and @FlippinKath handle calls like this is amazing, I’d be in bits right now @talkRADIO #TLNA
— Roger (@Plankton1975) December 19, 2018
5.
https://twitter.com/iainlee/status/1075545852486258688
6.
for 30 minutes while he got harder to understand. Long periods of silence where I thought he’d died. fuck, that was intense and upsetting. Thanks for your kind words. I really hope he makes it.
— Iain Lee – talkRADIO (@iainlee) December 20, 2018
7.
By the way – thanks to Simon on the phones and also @FlippinKath she was relaying everything to the 999 operators as we got info from Chris. And thanks to 999, the police and ambulance. They deal with this everyday. Actual heroes. https://t.co/uqrpSR6gzh
— Iain Lee – talkRADIO (@iainlee) December 20, 2018
8.
Thanks everyone for your kind tweets. I’m a bit stunned after that call. Actually more than a bit. Don’t be alone. The Samaritans can help 116 123.
— Iain Lee – talkRADIO (@iainlee) December 19, 2018
9.
The police have found him. @iainlee @FlippinKath You’re heroes. You just saved his life. Sending you both so much love, you were amazing.
— 🎄 Hollie Jolly Christmas 🎅🏻 (@HollieAnneB) December 19, 2018
10.
Finished doing 4 hours overtime in our @EPControlRoom answering 999 and 101 calls. Listening to @iainlee on the way home. Excellent way you dealt with Chris who took an overdose. Well done! If you leave @talkRADIO you should join us!
— Andy Long (@PcAndyLong) December 19, 2018