Don Ritchie
Donald Taylor Ritchie was an Australian who intervened in many suicide attempts. He officially rescued at least 180 people who had intended to attempt suicide at The Gap.
Early life
Ritchie went to Vaucluse Public School and attended Scots College. He enlisted into the Royal Australian Navy on 30 June 1944 as a seaman aboard and witnessed the unconditional surrender of the Japanese Imperial Forces in Tokyo Bay on 2 September 1945, officially ending World War II in the Pacific.After the war, he was a life insurance salesman.
Intervention
Officially, he rescued 180 people from suicide as of 2009 over a 45-year period, although his family claims the number is closer to 500. Ritchie resided next to The Gap, a location in Sydney, Australia, known for multiple suicide attempts.Upon seeing someone on the cliff in distress, Ritchie would cross the road from his property and engage them in conversation, often beginning with the words, "Can I help you in some way?" Afterwards Ritchie would invite them back to his home for a cup of tea and a chat. Some of the people he helped would return years later to thank him for his efforts in talking them out of their decision.
Ritchie explained his intervention in suicide attempts saying, "You can't just sit there and watch them."