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Mum and baby in suicide jump from bridge

Published: 31 Jul 12 10:31 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/42334/20120731/

A 33-year-old woman is suspected of attempted murder after jumping from a bridge holding her 3-month-old baby in central Stockholm on Saturday morning in an apparent suicide attempt.

The mother and child survived the 12 metre fall but remain in intensive care, according to a report in the Aftonbladet daily.

"The medical situation for the woman and child is that they are in intensive care and we have not been able to hold any interviews with her," said Kjell Lindgren at Stockholm police to the newspaper.

The incident occurred on Saturday morning at around 9am by Slussen - a busy road and public transport junction in central Stockholm.

According to a witness report the woman stood for a while on the bridge before leaping over the railing onto the road below.

"I looked at her and she looked back. Then I kept going. When I was 100 metres away I turned and then she was gone," the witness told Aftonbladet.

Police have classified the apparent suicide attempt as attempted murder.

According to the police there are no further people suspected of involvement in the incident.

"As I see it this is a family tragedy when something like this occurs... that both survive is the most important thing," Kjell Lindgren said.

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10:42 July 31, 2012 by robban70226
agedy agedy agedy.......
10:57 July 31, 2012 by SandStorm
"I looked at her and she looked back. Then I kept going."

Taking individualism one step further...
11:11 July 31, 2012 by occassional
"I looked at her and she looked back. Then I kept going."

Oh the quintessential Swedish style of non-intervention.
11:11 July 31, 2012 by voiceofreason
It is sad, we need to draw closer and check on our friends often. People need not suffer alone.
11:18 July 31, 2012 by jan.petras
That is one ugly bridge....
11:44 July 31, 2012 by G Kin
@voiceofreason

A good point actually. But often people choose to suffer alone in Sweden.
11:55 July 31, 2012 by J Jack
The sign on the bridge says 4.3 meters.
12:23 July 31, 2012 by TG22
@ G Kin

You're right...
12:50 July 31, 2012 by libertarianism
Re 2, For others, individualism means recognizing and *valuing each human* as a unique soul with his/her own unique story, wants, hurts, dreams, strengths, weaknesses, vices, etc.

Otherwise, the article leaves unanswered questions, so as to blame this one witness. Was this witness above or below the bridge? How much traffic was there? How fast were people driving? Is this a bridge people regularly jump from? (Probably not.) What was the timeframe of events? One witness at least did look back. He/she did talk to police. What have other witnesses said? Does the woman have family/friends here? What have they said? Is there any record of the woman having sought help through a public agency? Signs of postpardum depression?

Too many unanswered questions... Sad for everyone involved.
15:37 July 31, 2012 by axiom
"I looked at her and she looked back. Then I kept going."

I remember being in London, standing by the bridge watching the trains go by, everyone seemed to stop to check if I was ok and wasn't going to jump.

Where has this community spirit gone?
16:21 July 31, 2012 by matona1
why is it that it is hard to see people with real smile or happines in sweden?
20:22 July 31, 2012 by just a question
"I looked at her and she looked back. Then I kept going", yes, typical Swedish attitude.

Probably the woman was crying/shaking. But in this country everybody prefers to look in another direction pretending nothing is going on. Soulless society.
20:31 July 31, 2012 by Emerentia
@ axiom If I was standing on a bridge looking at the view I would think it would be rather annoying if everyone else stopped and asked me if I planned to jump. And if I really was planning to jump, I wouldn't tell them anyways, I would say "I'm fine, just looking at the view" and then jump when they had went away.
20:41 July 31, 2012 by theibmsstate
I am muslim but i am very much sad for her and for her baby. i have pain for them. just 3months old baby young woman. here many people writes funny post about her. shame on those who make fun on her and her baby.this is how your civilization taught you to make fun when somebody died.so sad.
21:08 July 31, 2012 by libertarianism
Re 14, I didn't get post 1, but otherwise, I don't think anyone made fun of the woman or her baby. Seems to be a misunderstanding.
21:35 July 31, 2012 by Thompsuleme
I once saw a guy beating up a young girl right in front of the underground exit at this same Slussen. I witnessed 5 very hard slaps dished to the young lady,this in broad daylight and it seemed like nothing was happening. People either got on with their business or just stared. I pulled the guy away and punched him. He was more surprised that I interfered than the fact that I actually did hit him. He just cursed and walked away. it took a while living here to understand his confusion.
00:46 August 1, 2012 by shard
@Thompsuleme

Bravo, I wish there were more like you (and not just here in sweden). I always say to my kids it's important to stand up for others in a weaker position that you, even if it means putting your own safety at risk. it's the price we pay to live in this fragile existence called 'society'.

My Swedish other half, on the other hand, thinks I'm mad. Thats not to tar all swedes with the same brush, and I'm hoping you're Swedish to maintain my faith in the good of this nation.

Again, bravo!
07:21 August 1, 2012 by hackie
@ #14,

Did you read the comments at all? Can you quote where you saw anyone insulting the woman? By the way, what has you being a muslim got to do with this news or the comments so far? Oh, you want people to praise you for being a muslim or for your off comment?

A piece of advice: Always try to understand a thread or news before posting any comment.
08:00 August 1, 2012 by jimfromcanada
hackle, keep your anti islamic rants to yourself.
11:24 August 1, 2012 by rise
I am not a muslim in case anyone's interested.

But hey muslims should get their own parade like the homo's Pride festival since they seem to have exactly the same desire of highlighting themselves.

To the jumping mother: go ahead and kill yourself since that's what you want but you have no right in taking the baby with you in the fall!
11:29 August 1, 2012 by zooeden
to # 14, that´s exactly what happens when you guys read your book, you just dont get it!!! (of course that would not be the mayority however the loud minority)
13:17 August 1, 2012 by Thompsuleme
Although I don't see how anyone could have prevented her from jumping or thought she would, this "it's not my business" attitude in Sweden is a sad to say the least.

@Shard,

Most of my mates would do exactly the same I did . I grew up in a society that's far below the ethics and standard of Sweden . I love this country as neither I nor my other half are citizens here, but this inexplicable(now I don't think the above story is an example) passive nature of most here is quite astonishing. Last year an old woman was honored for standing up to 2 guys who almost beat up another bloke to death in a tram. She said she turned around and screamed at fellow passengers if they were not goin to help her. Its sad really... The best is to ask yourself, if such a misfortune should befall you , how would you feel about those who could have helped you- food for thought.

I still love Sweden though :) nothing is without its fail!
12:05 August 2, 2012 by rise
#22

"Although I don't see how anyone could have prevented her from jumping or thought she would,...]"

Me neither. Out of those who have decided to REALLY kill themselves most will likely also succeed in it. To think you or I can do anything to prevent it would only be some narcissistic delusion of our own. We do not have that kind of power over anyone. Oh you could go "Hi sweetheart, how are you? You aren't gonna jump now, are you?" But really, what's the point, other than making yourself feel a bit better? If she jumps, she jumps. Regardless.
10:46 August 3, 2012 by Da Goat
Was this article translated from Swedish as the suicide and murder issue is very badly defined ... is self murder a crime or is it really fair to bust some poor person who "apparently" wanted out for it if she fails! not very sensitive people!

rather sad I hope she heals! and finds health.

maybe it was a cry for help ......not to be punished by Grisenar!
12:44 August 3, 2012 by rise
No, suicide isn't punishable. Even though the direct translation of självmord is self murder she cannot be prosecuted for trying to murder herself. To be prosecuted for murder one has to murder someone else, oneself not included. This means she can be prosecuted for trying to murder her baby but not for the attempt of murdering herself. At least according to what I found:

http://lawline.se/answers/8453

As for "not very sensitive"... While things like this of course is a catastrophe for the relatives I have a hard time finding sympathy for people who commits, or are trying to commit, suicide. It's the most selfish act imaginable!

Your well-being is your responsibility and people should make sure they are alright cause otherwise they're of no use to other people but only a burden.
12:10 August 5, 2012 by D. ane
New mums don't get the support they need. They get kicked out of hospital on the second day and it is pot luck of how much help they get afterwards. And if there are infections or difficulties in feeding it can be very stressful.

It is difficult to get adjusted to a new baby and provide all its needs. Family, friends and state should ensure that there is plenty of support especially the first few months. I wonder how single mums manage!
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