Saving a life requires strategic planning, professional skills and a quick response. All three requirements were aptly displayed by Sergeant Mr Yiu Kwok-keung and Police Constables Mr Wong Shu-kin, Mr Lau Chi-yin and Ms Lo Ka-man, when they risked their lives preventing a teenage girl from committing suicide.

Had they failed to grasp the hands of the girl as she sat on the edge of a hanging garden, she would have plunged 28 floors to a certain death.

It all began around midnight on November 12. The Emergency Unit New Territories South Platoon Two officers received an emergency call about a suicide attempt by a 15-year-old girl in Sha Tin.

When they arrived at the 28th floor of a residential building, the girl had already climbed over the railing onto a hanging garden and was sitting on its forward edge. The girl was extremely emotional and obviously about to jump. Without a moment's hesitation, Mr Wong vaulted over the railing and grabbed her by the hands. Mr Wong's partners, Mr Yiu and Mr Lau, were right behind him and held him safely while the girl continued to scream and struggle. Eventually, they succeeded in pulling her to safety.

Their quick and professional reaction undoubtedly saved the girl's life and it earned the praise of Mr Lui, the father of the girl's former boyfriend and the man who had summoned Police help. In his appreciation letter to the Tin Sum Divisional Commander, Mr Lui said he was highly impressed with the way in which the three Police officers dashed ahead to save the girl regardless of their own safety and the compassion shown by Ms Lo who tried hard to calm the girl down before she was taken to hospital.

"I want to thank the officers who prevented the suicide attempt. They really impressed me with their example of Police efficiency," Mr Lui wrote.

Mr Yiu attributed the success of the rescue to Police training and teamwork. But all four officers were delighted with Mr Lui's recognition of a job well done and pledged to keep up their good work.

Mr Wong recalled: "At the time, I thought only of the suicidal girl and I wanted to save her. I couldn't spare a thought about my personal safety. Though the rescue attempt was quite dangerous, I trusted in my team mates to back me up - I had nothing to fear."

Comfort for a distraught girl

Arriving just after the girl had been dragged to safety, Ms Lo concentrated on comforting the girl. "She was crying loudly and lay slumped on the corridor floor. She was so emotional that she couldn't utter a word. But, after I talked to her and comforted her, she began to calm down. Later on, I learned that she had wanted to take her life after breaking-up with her boyfriend."

The four police officers were well trained to handle all kinds of emergency situations and unfortunately have ample experience in handling suicide cases of all sorts.

Ms Lo often comforts women who have attempted suicide. She said: "Sometimes, women like to talk to women. I can comfort them by holding their hands or putting an arm around their shoulders to give them a sense of security. Many people attempt suicide because of love disputes, and sometimes, I could use my personal experiences in talking with them."

Mr Lau said: "This was the second time in that week that I had been sent to handle a suicide attempt. Unfortunately, in the first case, a man had already leaped to his death before we arrived. In this case, I was so happy that the girl was saved."

Mr Yiu rightly pointed out that suicide was not a solution: "Every problem can be solved eventually and life is the most precious thing of all."