KANGAR: A man who suffered serious burns after his car caught fire here on Wednesday, had apparently tried to take his own life upon learning that his former lover had found someone new.
It turned out that the 28-year-old psychiatric patient, who suffered 96 per cent burns, had attempted suicide twice before but was saved by his family in both attempts.
Kangar police chief Superintendent Wari Kiew said the man had tried to take his own life last month before having another go on Tuesday but he was saved on both occasions.
"The man is undergoing outpatient treatment at the Tuanku Fauziah Hospital's Psychiatric Department.
"He was heartbroken upon learning that his former lover has met a new guy and attempted suicide twice prior to yesterday's incident, but was saved by his family," Wari said in a statement today.
According to the victim's father, his son had consumed petrol about 8.45pm before leaving their home in a Perodua Alza, said Wari.
"The worried father rushed to the Kangar police station for help as he feared his son would be pulling another suicide attempt.
"Upon arriving at the police station, the father was informed that police have found a burning car at a bridge in Kampung Syed Omar," he said, adding that police were alerted about the fire at 8.49pm.
Wari said the victim's father confirmed that the vehicle belonged to his son upon arriving at the scene.
"A passerby pulled over his vehicle when he saw a man, who was on fire, walking away from the burning car.
"The witness quickly exited his car to calm the man down before helping to put out the fire and alerted the authorities," he said.
Videos of the man walking away from the burning car while him on fire has since gone viral on social media.
It was reported earlier quoting Kangar Fire and Rescue Department operations commander Shahrunnizam Kamar Bashah who said 10 firefighters and an ambulance were dispatched to the scene after receiving a distress call.
He said the vehicle was completely engulfed in flames and the firefighters managed to put the fire out by 9.20pm while the driver was rushed to Tuanku Fauziah Hospital.