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Double D · 08-25-2003, 08:57 AM

Sun August 24, 2003 08:08 AM ET http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.j...t&section=news

ROME (Reuters) - An Italian policeman rushed to the virtual rescue of a woman committing suicide online, gleaning enough personal details to alert emergency services and save her life, news agency Ansa reported on Saturday.
The 41-year-old woman announced in an Internet chat-room that she was going to kill herself and then began swallowing tablets to the horror of fellow chatters, who could see the suicide attempt unfolding via Web cam.

The policeman, Massimo Turbacci, kept talking to her, coaxing out her mobile telephone number, which allowed authorities to track down her home address -- in the town of Aversa, just outside Naples.

An ambulance raced to the house and took her to hospital where she is now out of danger.
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At first I thought, wow, the rescue was a great use of the Internet, then I wondered why would this woman attempt suicide in front of her Web cam *audience?* Cry for help, I would guess, but it negates the notion that she was serious in her attempt to actually kill herself.

08-25-2003, 08:57 AM	#1 (permalink)
Double D Junkie Location: Chicagoland	Cop Saves Woman in Online Suicide Bid Sun August 24, 2003 08:08 AM ET http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.j...t&section=news ROME (Reuters) - An Italian policeman rushed to the virtual rescue of a woman committing suicide online, gleaning enough personal details to alert emergency services and save her life, news agency Ansa reported on Saturday. The 41-year-old woman announced in an Internet chat-room that she was going to kill herself and then began swallowing tablets to the horror of fellow chatters, who could see the suicide attempt unfolding via Web cam. The policeman, Massimo Turbacci, kept talking to her, coaxing out her mobile telephone number, which allowed authorities to track down her home address -- in the town of Aversa, just outside Naples. An ambulance raced to the house and took her to hospital where she is now out of danger. ------------- At first I thought, wow, the rescue was a great use of the Internet, then I wondered why would this woman attempt suicide in front of her Web cam audience? Cry for help, I would guess, but it negates the notion that she was serious in her attempt to actually kill herself.