Mirrors placed to deter jumps

Press, 27 December 1985, Page 10

Mirrors placed to deter jumps

Solntfe* Across; 1, Certificate; 9, Ukelele; 10, Curse; 11, Tress; 12, Trivial; 13, Errand; 15, Asking 13, Mimi-, cry; 20, Occur, 23, Realm; 23, Pertain; 24, Merchandise. Down: 2, Educe; 3, Treason; 4, Fiesta; 6, Cacti; 6, Termini; 7, Furthermore; 8, Belligerent; 14, Rampage; 16, Scoured; 17, Myopia; 19, Comic; 21, Crass.

NZPA-AP Tokyo In an attempt to discourage people from committing suicide by jumping in front of subway trains, five stations in the northern Japanese city of Sapporo have recently installed large mirrors on their walls. A subway official, Matsumi Kikuchi, said that about 60 people had attempted suicide by jumping in front of trains since the city’s subway system opened in 1971. He said that a staff member had suggested that mirrors be placed on the walls across the tracks from platforms.

“Maybe if people see their faces one more time, they’ll reconsider,” he said.

Across I—Diploma. (11) 9—lnstrument. (7) 10 — Oath. (5) ■ 11— Lock. (5) 12— Petty. (7) 13— Mission. (6) 15—Enquiring. (6) 18—Impersonation. (7) 20—Happen. (5) 22— Kingdom. (5) 23— Belong. (7) 24— Goods. (11)

. Mirrors were installed last year on the ends of platforms closest to approaching . trains at the main Ohdori station, where' the biggest number of silicide incidents was reported, Mr Kikuchi'said. Since then there had, been no suicide attempt at the; station.

Mr Kikuchi said that the transport system had since installed mirrors at four other stations, which also had had no further incidents.

He said that it Was still too early to tell if the? drop in suicides was. a result of the mirrors. “If there are no more suicides in the next two or three years, then I think we can say it’s because bf the mirrors,” Mr Kikuchi said, v

Down 2— Elicit. (5) 3— Disloyalty. < (7) 4— Carnival. (6) 5— Succulents. (5) 6— Bus-stations. (7) 7— Moreover. (11) ; 8— Hostile. (11) 14—Storm. (7) 16— Scrubbed. (7) 17— Short-sighhtedness. (6) 19—Droll. (5) 21—Coarse. (5)