Woman rescued after 8 hrs on 18th floor ledge

Mumbai police rescued a 32-year-old woman who climbed to the 18th floor of a high-rise under construction in Sewri on Friday.

The tense episode lasted a few hours and the woman was finally brought to safety around 3pm by a police team that included police inspector Shalini Sharma, the city’s first hostage and crises negotiator, who has undergone training in the UK for such emergencies.

The 32-year-old woman, who has a law degree but does not practice, climbed to the 18th floor of the building around 7am after telling her parents that she was going to visit a temple.

At 11.45am, the Mumbai police control room received a call from a person who has seen her.

Sharma told Hindustan Times, “The woman was visibly distressed and taking photographs from up there. After the police were informed, a team of local policemen tried to counsel her but she was aggressive and stubborn.”

After their efforts failed, Sharma was told about the crisis and reached the spot. What followed was a counselling session during which the police indulged her in conversation and tried to ensure that she stayed a safe distance from the ledge. Meanwhile, a fire brigade team worked on rescue plan just in she fell or jumped.

“The barrier around the ledge was only a foot high and she was standing close to it. She was very emotional,” said Sharma.

The woman was offered water and asked to remain calm. She was finally pulled to safety around 3pm.

“The woman was undergoing personnel distress that had noth ing to do with her family or work,” said Sharma.

The police have asked citizens to contact them if they come across similar situations.

“There is a dedicated team of Mumbai police who are trained for such crises, so people should contact us,” said Sharma.

The woman received medical attention and her parents were informed.

“We referred her to a psychia trist at KEM Hospital, who coun selled her,” said Bhagwat Ban sod, senior police inspector, RAK Marg police station.