So here's what happened to me at work this morning: A guy tried to kill himself.

Started by GoblinSapper, March 06, 2011, 01:16:06 PM

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GoblinSapper

I work overnight cashier at a grocery store. I'm in from 10 pm to 6 am the next day. It's an okay job. Not soul destroying, not particularly pleasant. Part of working Third Shift is you interact with all the wierdo's, homeless, drug addicts, and pot heads you won't see during the day. By in large, they tend to be harmless- high and drunk people come into the store all the time, buy their munchies and beer and cigarettes, and leave. And they're polite, even.
 
Today, one of them tried to cut his own throat.
 
I wasn't around for the first part of it. The baker, lets call him "Jim", said he heard something glass break, and he comes out of the food prep area and see's a guy just standing there, over a broken jug of wine. The guy looks at him and says, "God is good." Then he drags a sliver of glass acrossed his neck. It's too small and doesn't cut. Jim grabs the guys wrists and tries to calm him down, a struggle ensues.
 
The guy who cleans and buffs our floors at night is latino. He doesnt' speak great english. He communicated to me someone needed help by the bakery- so I figure someone dropped or broke something and I gotta clean the floor. I see Jim and Drunk guy going at it Kirk and Spock style- Jim's holding the guys arms and trying to wrestle him away from the glass, Drunk guy is going for the glass. Drunk Guy gets ahold of a broken top piece of the wine bottle, Jim wresltes him to the floor pinning him, screaming "Help me, he's trying to fucking kill himself, help me!"
 
Once I figure out i'm not being punked I go the hell over there. I try to grab the guys arm, the free one holding the broken bottle. He jams it into his throat and starts sawing, just gouging it in. Blood spurts out everywhere and covers the floor. I'm trying to pull it away but can't Drunk guy gurgles and starts to vomit face down in his own blood. I scream for Jim to squeeze the guys neck and put pressure on it, someone yells for someone to call 911, I break out my cell phone (In clear violation of store policy, employees aren't even supposed to carry them. Take that, Corporate) and deliver a panicked call to 911. Then another, when I worry the message didn't get through.
 
Police, Firemen, and EMT's arrive - in that order. Took about five minutes. The EMT's had the guy out lickety split, last I heard they stabilized him and transferred him to medical. We spend about another two and a half hours there while the police tape the area off, get detectives there, take statements from us, and the Store manager shows up to compile the security footage to give them.
 
So, yeah. That was my morning.

Howlando

Take care of yourself.

Canzah

Whoa. If you want to have a chat with someone, I'll be hanging around on IRC for the day.

TheImpossibleDream

I got out of bed, turned on my computer, played some dawn of war 2 retribution, then ate a packet of crisps(chips to you americans) while watching masterchef austrailia on youtube, if thats any consolation.

Damien

they film masterchef at my university halls

Gennedy

Damn, dude....just.....damn......

Shamtastic

As traumatizeing as it was, you saved a life..pretty damn noble. I live in Los Angeles, guy would of probably gotten on youtube as he bled out without help.  Well done!  Like Howland said, now take care of your self...probably gonna have a some issues if that is your first time with such drama especially in the workplace.

TheMacPanther

Quote from: Gennedy;227848Damn, dude....just.....damn......

Knight Of Pentacles

Quote from: Howland;227828Take care of yourself.

Yalta

You did a good thing. Thats very cool. And yes take care of yourself.

THEDiamondJ

The guy should consider himself lucky, I would have told him to go outside to do that shit so I didn't have to mop.

AKMatt

That is horrible to hear.  It's good that you saved him, but I'm very sorry to hear you were involved in such a traumatic event.  Take as long as you need to come to grips with it.

UnholyWon

Sounds like you had one of my unusual nights at my own work place. Take care of yourself and talk to some body about it so it doesn't screw with you like PTSD.

Caster13

Whether or not the man appreciates what you did, don't regret your decisions and actions.

Also, if any of his blood happens to got in contact with any vectors (eyes, nose, mouth, open wounds, etc), might be worth booking an early physical with your family doctor.

Cluckyx

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Did he drop any good loot?
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