A 26-year-old man was safely rescued after he was spotted sitting on a ledge outside a sixth-floor residential unit at a Tampines HDB block on Sunday morning.
The incident drew a significant emergency response, with officers from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and the police arriving at the scene shortly after receiving reports of a person in a potentially dangerous situation.
According to SCDF, a call for assistance was received at around 7:10am on June 7 at Block 499C Tampines Avenue 9.
Videos circulating online showed the man seated on a narrow ledge outside a residential unit several storeys above the ground.
Witnesses who gathered below watched as emergency responders worked to bring the situation to a safe conclusion.
Man Told Others Not To Approach Him
Footage shared on social media captured the tense moments as the man remained on the ledge.
In the video, he could be heard repeatedly telling others not to come near him.
“I don’t want anyone to come up,” the man was heard saying.
Police vehicles and emergency personnel were seen stationed at the foot of the block while responders assessed the situation and prepared rescue measures.
The incident quickly attracted attention from nearby residents, many of whom watched from a distance as officers negotiated with the man.
SCDF Deploys Safety Air Cushion
As a precautionary measure, SCDF deployed a safety life air pack below the block to minimise the risk of serious injury should the man fall.
Specialist rescuers from the Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (DART) were also placed on standby to assist if required.
The operation lasted several hours before responders successfully rescued the man from the ledge without injury.
SCDF later confirmed that the rescue was completed safely and that no casualties were reported.
Man Taken Into Custody For Assessment
Following the rescue, the 26-year-old was apprehended under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act for further assessment.
Authorities have not disclosed additional details regarding the circumstances leading up to the incident.
The successful rescue highlighted the coordinated efforts of emergency responders, including SCDF, DART specialists and police officers, who worked together to ensure the man’s safety.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or having thoughts of self-harm, support is available through various mental health helplines and crisis intervention services in Singapore. Seeking help early can make a significant difference.