The Twitter community saved a South African mother’s life following a string of suicidal tweets Friday.
Beginning at 9:17 p.m. local time, the distressed mother began sending troubling messages, quickly catching the concerned attention of her followers.
Although her tweets have since been removed, the South African website Memeburn quoted her saying, “Please don’t save me, I just didn’t want to die alone. … If u hate the mother of your kids, hurt her, leave her, break her down and take them from her and then isolate her. Take all she loves away. … Asking god almighty to forgive my final sin, love my angels, forgive my humanity, take my pain away.”
Realizing the tweets’ severity, her friends and family started seeking help via Twitter, searching for anyone who knew her whereabouts. Nicholas Dawes, editor of South Africa’s weekly Mail and Guardian, joined the conversation early, drawing national attention to the woman’s tweets.
As the conversation spread, Twitter users retweeted her home address and phone number. They sent wishes her way using the hashtags #SaveGina and #FindGina.
Early Saturday morning @SynStalker and @etiennebeneke reported the woman had been located and was safe with her family. @SynStalker is organizing an In Awe of Twitter Tweetup this Friday to celebrate the power of Twitter in times of need.
We’ve seen people send extraordinary tweets before, but this weekend the social network’s community proved it can save lives.
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Posted on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 17:50:09 +0000 at http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/fmZYXA06Pyk/
Comments: http://mashable.com/2011/08/01/twitterverse-prevent-suicide/#comments
Beginning at 9:17 p.m. local time, the distressed mother began sending troubling messages, quickly catching the concerned attention of her followers.
Although her tweets have since been removed, the South African website Memeburn quoted her saying, “Please don’t save me, I just didn’t want to die alone. … If u hate the mother of your kids, hurt her, leave her, break her down and take them from her and then isolate her. Take all she loves away. … Asking god almighty to forgive my final sin, love my angels, forgive my humanity, take my pain away.”
Realizing the tweets’ severity, her friends and family started seeking help via Twitter, searching for anyone who knew her whereabouts. Nicholas Dawes, editor of South Africa’s weekly Mail and Guardian, joined the conversation early, drawing national attention to the woman’s tweets.
As the conversation spread, Twitter users retweeted her home address and phone number. They sent wishes her way using the hashtags #SaveGina and #FindGina.
Early Saturday morning @SynStalker and @etiennebeneke reported the woman had been located and was safe with her family. @SynStalker is organizing an In Awe of Twitter Tweetup this Friday to celebrate the power of Twitter in times of need.
We’ve seen people send extraordinary tweets before, but this weekend the social network’s community proved it can save lives.
More About: social media, suicide preventionFor more Social Media coverage:Follow Mashable Social Media on TwitterBecome a Fan on FacebookSubscribe to the Social Media channelDownload our free apps for Android, Mac, iPhone and iPad
Posted on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 17:50:09 +0000 at http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/fmZYXA06Pyk/
Comments: http://mashable.com/2011/08/01/twitterverse-prevent-suicide/#comments