Man rescued from air-con ledge of Bukit Panjang flat, apprehended under Mental Health Act

A 42-year-old man was apprehended after he was rescued from the aircon ledge of a flat in Bukit Panjang on Sunday (Oct 4) morning.The police and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) told AsiaOne they received a call for assistance at Block 635B Senja Road, where a man was spotted standing on the air-con ledge of an eighth-floor unit.Two photographs seen by AsiaOne show at least one fire engine, a rescue tender and at least three police cars parked along a driveway near the block.SCDF deployed a safety life air pack as a precautionary measure when they arrived at the scene.As the man was assessed to possibly pose a danger to himself, the police activated officers from their Crisis Negotiation Unit, while SCDF deployed its Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (DART).DART rescuers rappelled down from the unit above and brought the man to safety at about 9.50am.The 42-year-old was taken conscious to hospital and subsequently apprehended under Section 7(1) of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act. Under the Act, the police have the power to arrest anyone believed to be a danger to himself or other people.