UK Talk Radio host Iain Lee saves man from overdose live on air

  • 21/12/2018
Iain Lee, host of Talk Radio in the UK, kept the caller on the phone for half an hour, keeping him alive before emergency services arrived.
Iain Lee, host of Talk Radio in the UK, kept the caller on the phone for half an hour, keeping him alive before emergency services arrived. Photo credit: Getty

A UK radio host has saved another man's life live on air after the caller informed him that he had taken an overdose. 

Iain Lee, host of Talk Radio, received a call from a man who said his name was Chris. The caller told him he had taken an overdose, and Mr Lee kept him on the phone for half an hour, keeping him alive before emergency services arrived. 

Mr Lee has been open about his own struggles with mental health. The caller told him he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and didn't want to live anymore.

The radio host told Chris he didn't want him to die. He asked the caller where he was located and invited him to share his story on the radio the next day. 

"I don't want you to die tonight because I love you. I love you, brother. I love you," Mr Lee told Chris. 

Mr Lee managed to keep Chris on the phone for half an hour, despite his speech slurring. He found out Chris was in Plymouth, a port city southwest of England. 

He also managed to get a description of what Chris looked like and was wearing, to work out where he was and send an ambulance and police to him. 

Emergency services were sent to the location, and a police officer confirmed to Mr Lee that Chris had been found and would be taken care of. 

Taking to Twitter, Mr Lee said he was "a bit stunned" after the call.

"Tonight we took a call from a man who had taken an overdose. He was lying in a street in Plymouth, dying. We managed to keep him online, get a description of what he looked like and was wearing, work out where he was and send an ambulance and police to him."

In a follow-up tweet, he thanked people for their support, and told his followers, "Don't be alone". 

Inspector Kev Morley of Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that Chris was receiving help, and said it was "a very typical call for us sadly". 

"We all have a role to play in supporting those that are struggling."

Where to find help and support:

  • Need to Talk? - Call or text 1737
  • Lifeline - 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland
  • Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat
  • Samaritans - 0800 726 666
  • Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
  • Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)

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