China’s desperate saved by ‘Angel of Nanjing’ at noted suicide bridge
- The bridge spanning the Yangtze River is believed to be the scene of the most suicides in the world
- Volunteer Chen Si believes he has helped more than 400 people step back from the brink on his regular visits
Every weekend for 18 years, Chen has volunteered to scout the 3km (two-mile) length of the metal expanse, talking to hundreds of people thinking of taking their lives and earning himself the nickname “the Angel of Nanjing”.
But with a cigarette wedged in one hand and flask of green tea clutched in the other, the unsentimental Chen professes to have “no unique skills” beyond expressing empathy for those whose strife led them to China’s “suicide bridge”.
Chen had his first life-changing encounter there at the age of 22 when he spotted a woman – a young migrant worker like himself – on the edge, 70 metres (230 feet) above the water, crying and contemplating jumping.
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China’s ‘Angel of Nanjing’: the man who saved hundreds from suicide off Yangtze bridge
After he stopped to talk, the woman climbed down and Chen realised he may inadvertently have saved a life. He says he has since helped 412 people step back from the brink on the bridge – roughly one every fortnight.
