Woman held for trying to kill herself and son

A 48-year-old woman who tried to kill herself and her 25-year-old mentally retarded son by burning charcoal in their flat was arrested last night for attempted murder. The woman, who had suffered depression since her husband died several years ago, was worried about raising her son alone. She burned the charcoal on Saturday night in her Tin Lok House flat, Tin King Estate, in Tuen Mun. She woke up, realised the charcoal had not killed them, and slashed her wrists and took 30 sleeping pills. These attempts failed and she called a friend for help. The pair were in stable condition in hospital last night.