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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that if 19 people have jumped off a certain place

54 replies

Made2OrderJelly · 02/03/2009 14:16

intending to kill themselves, then measures should be taken to make it harder for the victims(?) to jump off (with nets?)

I dont really know how but surely something should be done?

OP posts:
MumOfBaby · 02/03/2009 14:23

Where is this place?

How about fencing?

Mind you, if they want to 'jump' off, then it probably won't make much difference, they'll just find another way.

mankyscotslass · 02/03/2009 14:26

The bridge in the town I grew up in was infamous for attempts. you would hear the search helicopter out on a regular basis.

Also rescue boats out on the river too.

The authorities put up extra high fencing and put posters and signs up with the Samaritans number on it, and signs and phones for people to use if they were concerned.

It hasn't made any difference, people will do what they feel driven to.

Original poster
Made2OrderJelly · 02/03/2009 14:27

Its a multi story car park.

The (possibly) worst bit is only 9 of them died, the rest of them suffered

But even if it delays them for a second it might stop them, giving a chance for the survival instict to kick in.

Jumping only takes a second!

OP posts:
MumOfBaby · 02/03/2009 14:28

OMG only 9 died? That's horrific. If you're going to do it, you should do it properly, not just really, really hurt and mutilate yourself.

southeastastra · 02/03/2009 14:29

i read your other thread. it's so sad. they ended up locking the access to the roof on a certain desirable location round here.

did she do it during daylight?

Original poster
Made2OrderJelly · 02/03/2009 14:35

Yes it would have been daylight because the buses are scarce.

It says that she would have planned it but if they had delayed it it may have stopped others

I have been at the top of that car park before, and sat on the wall which is at waist height, it would be so easy to jump if you were upset.

OP posts:
southeastastra · 02/03/2009 14:41

it's grim. maybe they could at least put up a sign for the samaritans

Rhubarb · 02/03/2009 14:43

A trampoline?

Rhubarb · 02/03/2009 14:43

Noooooooooo, sorry sorry sorry! What was I thinking???? Sorry, bad humour there!

Rhubarb · 02/03/2009 14:44

Oh dear, now I'm for it! (gulp)

sagacious · 02/03/2009 14:47

How awful

iirc the bideford bridge has samaritan signs

The old multi story carpark round myway has been rebuilt with rather funky wire mesh panels which I would imagine would impede potential jumpers.

Rhubarb must admit i snurked at your original post but yes the least they should do is have a sign.

ABetaDad · 02/03/2009 14:48

YANBU

My parents live in Scarborough and the Valley Bridge there was a terrible place for suicide jumps.

It was so tragic that a local private engineering firm decided at its own expense to build and erect a high set of railings on each side (almost a cage really) to try and stop it happening.

I am not sure if the railings stopped it completely but certainly it is much harder now.

A piece of selfless public service in my view by this firm. Yes I do think something should be done.

MumOfBaby · 02/03/2009 14:55

Sagacious- Potential jumpers- is that not wool?

Jelly- was it someone you knew? It's so terrible isn't it? I'd say write to the owners/ council asking for them to consider stopping the 'potential jumpers' with barbed wire and signs etc.

muffle · 02/03/2009 14:55

I have a friend who worked in mental heath policy until recently... according to her, barriers do make a huge difference to suicide rates. It's true people who are really determined will find another way, but a lot of people do it opportunistically (and many who survive say they are glad they survived and regretted it immediately)

Original poster
Made2OrderJelly · 02/03/2009 15:01

No i didn't know them, but i didn't know because they didn't disclose any names to start with

here is my first thread it was a bit of a self induldgent/selfish thread really , i was a bit worried it might have been one of my friends

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DrTrillianAstra · 02/03/2009 15:05

A trampoline wouldn't work, you can hurt yourself if you bounce off a trampoline normally, think what would happen if you had a big run-up.

Signs with the (free?) phone number for the Samaritans (and directions to the nearest payphone) are definitely a good idea, I think the number is engraved into the ends of the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol. Fences sound better than nets - I can just imagine drunk teenagers 'testing' nets for a bet.

laweaselmys · 02/03/2009 15:15

There are nets around a lot of the railway bridges here. I do think it's a good idea. Maybe you should write to your council and suggest it.

Buda · 02/03/2009 15:25

The 21 year old DD of some people we knew years ago was killed by someone jumping off a building and landing on her. Horrific. I still think of them often and wonder what she would be doing. She was studying medicine and was about to get engaged.

expatinscotland · 02/03/2009 15:30

'The 21 year old DD of some people we knew years ago was killed by someone jumping off a building and landing on her. Horrific. I still think of them often and wonder what she would be doing.'

One of my French teachers, a native Parisian, was nearly killed when was a young woman years ago by someone jumping off Notre Dame Cathedral.

The person landed less than a metre from Mme Guillot and sort of sprayed her and poor Mme was scarred for life by it!

In fact, that's how she wound up in the US. She couldn't stand it there anymore and so decided on an English course in America, and then married a Cajun man so stayed.

She never could go to Place de Notre Dame again in her life.

muffle · 02/03/2009 15:31

Oh no expat, how terrible. Maybe signs reminding you that by jumping you could endanger others could be effective.

expatinscotland · 02/03/2009 15:34

The Tower at University of Texas at Austin has also had access strictly controlled since 1971 after a number of suicides and truthfully, it was done after a number of near misses where unfortunatly suicide victims almost took out students crossing in the huge square below.

Original poster
Made2OrderJelly · 02/03/2009 15:39

When i was in Nottingham a few years back i was using a tram and where we were there was a train track running next to the tram track and as we were stopping at a tram stop a young lad jumped in from of a train next to the tram, as the doors opened there were people screaming who had just witnessed it and the tram driver had to get out to be sick.

There were children on the tram gawping out the the window and even though i didnt see much i must admit to looking (and feeling very faint)

I do wonder about that guy and the poor people who had to clear up after him, the poor train driver who couldn't stop because it takes at least a quarter mile to stop, the tram driver who saw everything, the poor children who might wake up one day and actually feel deeply affected by what they had witness, the family of the lad.

When somebody kills themselves there are sooo many victims

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Siriusmew · 02/03/2009 15:44

You in Bideford Sagacious?

The Big bridge there has signs. No phones that work for miles though.

The Longbridge further up stream doesn't have signs or anything though.

herbietea · 02/03/2009 15:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
Made2OrderJelly · 02/03/2009 15:53

HT You live near me, we spoke before, i am getting a car soon (26th) and was wondering if you wanted to meet for a coffee or something?

I hadn't asked before because i know there isn't any public tranport from where i live to where you live (or at least dont think there is) and dont like to rely on other people running around after me.

Did you get my new email address?

Just in case you cant tell this is Mum 2 OJ

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