Some quick-thinking bystanders and a worried grandmother saved two teenage boys from committing suicide yesterday morning.

One of the youngsters, 17, jumped into Suzhou Creek from the Zhejiang Road Bridge about 9 am, his second attempt of the day.

Xie Hongbiao, a 40-year-old passerby, dove into the river to save the boy after he heard the cries of other witnesses.

"The boy struggled in the river to keep from being saved," Gao said.

Witnesses said a speed boat patrolling nearby came to the rescue and pulled the boy on board. Police officers and community residents persuaded the teen to abandon his suicide plans, before he was transferred to the police station in the area he lived.

In the first attempt, the boy came to the river about 1 am and was found by his parents, witnesses said.

In the second case, Xue Jiawei, also 17-year-old senior high school student, swallowed about 30 sleeping pills before he was found by his grandmother about 11 am in his home at 1150 Baotou Road in Yangpu District.

Xue was studying at the Fudan Experimental Middle School on a temporary basis. His mother scolded him that his performance may not measure up to the admissions standards of a top university, according to Xue's grandmother, who became worried about the boy when his teacher called to say he didn't show up for school.

Xue was out of the danger late yesterday after he was rushed to Changhai Hospital.

The cases follow one suicide and two attempts by Shanghai students last week.

(Shanghai Daily September 9, 2008)