Four Brandon Wheat Kings players help save suicidal man’s life

WARNING: This story contains information that could be upsetting to readers.

According to the Brandon Sun’s Perry Bergson in a story published Friday, four Brandon Wheat Kings players were able to help a man who was contemplating suicide earlier this week.

Calder Anderson, Nolan Ritchie, Ben Thornton and Edmonton Oilers prospect Jake Chiasson were driving around the city after leaving a local Samaritan House program when Ritchie saw the man standing on a bridge Tuesday evening. After realizing what was going on, Anderson got out of the car and started to talk to the man while Chiasson called 911.

According to Bergson’s report, there were about 10 feet between Anderson and the man. Another person, who was not identified, showed up on the other side of the bridge to help.

Anderson said the man agreed to chat with him, saying he had relief after hearing from Anderson. Bergson said the man got unsettled at times, inches away from falling off. Anderson tried to get the man to back away from the edge, but he was scared he’d fall and remained in his place until police could arrive. Once they did, they lifted him away to safety.

A Staff Sgt. with the Brandon Police said the man seemed to be doing fine after undergoing treatment following the incident.

Anderson told Bergson the car ride home after the incident was a quiet one as they processed what occurred, wondering what could have happened had they witnessed the man jumping off the bridge.

The four players are between the ages of 18 and 20, with Ritchie serving as one of the team’s captains, and Chiasson acting as an alternate. The Wheat Kings have an 8-15-2 record in 25 games in the WHL this season.

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