Teacher found dead after falling six floors from school building in Hong Kong
- The 48-year-old woman said to have been under work-related stress
A teacher believed to have been under work-related stress fell to her death from a primary school building in Hong Kong in an apparent suicide on Wednesday.
Emergency personnel were sent to Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Leo Tung-hai Lee Primary School in Tin Tan Street, Tin Shui Wai at 7.23am after police received a call from a 51-year-old school employee.
The 48-year-old woman surnamed Lam jumped from the sixth-floor corridor of the school, according to a law enforcement source.
She was certified dead at the scene, police said.
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A member of staff said the school was not available for comment as its employees were busy managing the situation following the teacher’s death.
Before the body was removed at about 10am, pupils were told, via the school’s public broadcasting system, to remain in their classrooms during break.
No suicide note was found. Police said a preliminary investigation found nothing suspicious and an autopsy would be carried out.
A spokesman for Tung Wah said the school and its operator were deeply sorry and saddened by the tragedy, adding they had extended their deepest condolences to the family of the deceased.
He said Tung Wah would provide the necessary support for the deceased’s family, including funeral services.
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The spokesman said the teacher joined the predecessor of the current school in 1996 and had been in charge of Chinese language and library matters.
He also said that the school had informed the Education Bureau of the incident and had formed a crisis management team. The team, along with Tung Wah’s educational psychologists and social workers, would conduct emotional assessments and counselling for teachers and pupils, he added.
The spokesman said Tung Wah had always paid attention to the working environment of its schools and provided different training and support for teachers.
An Education Bureau spokesman said bureau staff were sent to the school to offer assistance and the bureau would be in close liaison with the school and provide support.
If you, or someone you know, are having suicidal thoughts, help is available. For Hong Kong, dial +852 2896 0000 for The Samaritans or +852 2382 0000 for Suicide Prevention Services. In the United States, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on +1 800 273 8255.
