FACEBOOK SAVED MY LIFE
Friend sees troubled Bill’s desperate goodbye note on social media and rescues him from canal suicide bid
A TROUBLED pensioner was plucked from a canal after posting a “goodbye” message on Facebook.
Bill Anderson, 71, felt the only way to escape personal problems was to take his own life.
But friends raised the alarm after seeing his heartbreaking note on the social media site and one saved him from the water before it was too late.
Last night, Bill told of his ordeal in a bid to save more lives. He said: “I’d like
to say, when that mist descends, seek help and don’t take the steps I took.”
Bill posted his suicide note to his family and friends on Facebook before going to drown himself in the Caledonian Canal in Inverness early on Saturday morning.
He said: “For those that read this post, I now say bon voyage as I slip away beneath the murky waters to, I hope, a far better place.”
However, the non-swimmer was crying out for help as he thrashed about in the water when a friend arrived and managed to grab his belt.
The pal held on to Bill until police arrived and together they pulled him out of the water.
Bill later took to Facebook again – this time to apologise for any distress he’d caused and to thank his rescuers and friends for their support. He said: “I regret now upsetting my many Facebook friends, personal friends and siblings.
“I was lucky whilst many before me were not. I came back from that watery hole.”
The pensioner – who is part of a walking tour group in Inverness – told the Record he wanted to share his story in the hope it would save someone else from suicide.
Yesterday was World Suicide Prevention Day and with more than 800,000 people taking their lives each year, Bill feels more folk need to talk.
He is now getting help from medical professionals, along with support from his family. He said: “I have been having a rough time personally. It all got to me.
“I could only see one way out at the time but I now realise that by talking about my problems with trusted friends and family, there is help out there.
“Nobody needs to feel alone or desperate. I hope by talking I can perhaps help someone else who is feeling the same.
“Your friends are there for you as I have found out by reading the many, many messages through tears. “Please – if your back is up against the wall, seek help from the professionals, your doctor, Samaritans and other like-minded bodies.” Bill said he regretted putting others at risk by going into the water and spoke of his regret at not speaking up about how depressed he was feeling. He said: “A big sorry my many friends for not talking. “Remember, think and talk before taking those drastic steps that I did. Men think they can’t talk but they can and they should.
“It was only as I felt that cold water on me I realised I didn’t want to die that way.
“Stupidly, I thought by taking my life it would solve everything.
“If my friend hadn’t heard my cries for help and held on to me until police arrived, it could have been a very different outcome. I’m grateful for that.
“I have wonderful friends who are offering their support and I realise how lucky I am.”