GEORGE TOWN: Photographer Ahmad Zhafaran Nasib has been using the Penang Bridge for years, commuting from Butterworth to the island for work.
He has also been on the bridge many times covering suicide cases, including rescues done by “heroes” on the bridge.
Yesterday, The Star photographer himself turned hero, saving a woman in distress.
He and fellow photographer Masry Che Ani of theSun were heading to Komtar on the island on their motorcycles when they stopped to take photographs of interstate travellers at about 12.30pm.
The newsman in him was piqued when he saw a woman on the bridge.
“She had stopped her bike and was staring into the sea. I felt that was odd.
“We rode close to her but she still did not react.”
When the situation escalated suddenly, Zhafaran shouted to Masry to help her.
The two of them quickly grabbed her, with their cameras still slung around their necks, all the while trying to tell her to calm down.
Describing the incident as almost unreal, Ahmad Zhafaran said: “She was distraught. It was hard communicating with her as she was constantly crying.”
While he had previously covered cases on the bridge, he said being there and seeing it for himself was a "different, scary experience".
"I wish nobody will have to go through it. Just look for support when you need it,” he said.
He said Masry called the police and both of them left after a police patrol car took the woman to a hospital for treatment.
A total of 19 attempted suicide and 53 suicide cases were reported in Penang between January and May last year, prompting the state Health Department to prioritise mental health issues.
Those suffering from problems or mental health issues can reach out to: Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service (03-2935 9935 or 014-322 3392); Talian Kasih (15999 or WhatsApp 019-261 5999); Jakim’s Family, Social and Community care centre (WhatsApp 011-1959 8214); and Befrienders Kuala Lumpur (03-7627 2929 or www.befrienders.org.my/centre-in-malaysia full list of numbers and operating hours).
He has also been on the bridge many times covering suicide cases, including rescues done by “heroes” on the bridge.
Yesterday, The Star photographer himself turned hero, saving a woman in distress.
He and fellow photographer Masry Che Ani of theSun were heading to Komtar on the island on their motorcycles when they stopped to take photographs of interstate travellers at about 12.30pm.
The newsman in him was piqued when he saw a woman on the bridge.
“She had stopped her bike and was staring into the sea. I felt that was odd.
“We rode close to her but she still did not react.”
When the situation escalated suddenly, Zhafaran shouted to Masry to help her.
The two of them quickly grabbed her, with their cameras still slung around their necks, all the while trying to tell her to calm down.
Describing the incident as almost unreal, Ahmad Zhafaran said: “She was distraught. It was hard communicating with her as she was constantly crying.”
While he had previously covered cases on the bridge, he said being there and seeing it for himself was a "different, scary experience".
"I wish nobody will have to go through it. Just look for support when you need it,” he said.
He said Masry called the police and both of them left after a police patrol car took the woman to a hospital for treatment.
A total of 19 attempted suicide and 53 suicide cases were reported in Penang between January and May last year, prompting the state Health Department to prioritise mental health issues.
Those suffering from problems or mental health issues can reach out to: Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service (03-2935 9935 or 014-322 3392); Talian Kasih (15999 or WhatsApp 019-261 5999); Jakim’s Family, Social and Community care centre (WhatsApp 011-1959 8214); and Befrienders Kuala Lumpur (03-7627 2929 or www.befrienders.org.my/centre-in-malaysia full list of numbers and operating hours).
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