POLICE OFFICERS PREVENT SECOND SUICIDE ATTEMPT IN A WEEK

PRNJAVOR, FEBRUARY 19 /SRNA/ – Police officers from Prnjavor, Stojan Samardžić and Saša Rakić, prevented a young woman from taking her own life at Drenova lake, marking the second such case in the past seven days.

Samardžić told SRNA that at 9:24 p.m. last night, while serving as shift supervisor at the Prnjavor Police Station, he received a report that a young woman intended to commit suicide by jumping into Lake Drenova. He said that all available police patrols were immediately dispatched to the scene. Given the seriousness of the report and the race against time, as the lake is located about 10 kilometers from town, he and Assistant Commander Saša Rakić also headed to the location. Upon arrival, they spotted a visibly distressed woman standing on a concrete wall. When she noticed the officers, she began screaming and climbing onto the protective railing with the intention of jumping into the water. "Thanks to a swift reaction, Officer Rakić and I managed to grab her by the arms and bring her to safety," Samardžić said. He stressed that the situation was extremely critical and that his primary goal was to save a young life. Samardžić noted that three months ago he found himself in a similar situation when a young woman attempted to commit suicide by jumping from an unfinished residential building. “On that occasion as well, my colleagues and I managed, through conversation, to calm her down and dissuade her from her intention, after which she received medical assistance at the local health center,” he said. Samardžić emphasized that problems are not a reason for anyone to take their own life and that trust should be built, first and foremost within the family, so that everything can be discussed openly. If necessary, help should also be sought from professionals. Assistant Commander of the Prnjavor Police Station Saša Rakić said that anyone facing difficulties should not attempt to resolve them by taking their own life, but should instead seek help from loved ones or qualified professionals. Rakić added that in his previous work he had encountered various situations, but never before a suicide attempt. He underlined that police work is demanding and that each day brings new challenges, but that all members of the Republika Srpska Ministry of Interior, including the Prnjavor Police Station, are always available to citizens and ready to respond to any situation or challenge.