A 28 year-old student nurse of Chingola in Zambia yesterday attempted suicide after checking into a local lodge in Kitwe.

The student who has since been placed under emergency observation, was reported to be in good health and mood when she left her roommates at a boarding house.

Copperbelt Province Police Commanding Officer, Peacewell Mweemba, said the attempted suicide was reported at Wusakile Police Station yesterday.

He said the incident occurred between 15:00 and 19:00 hours in room 133 at a named lodge.

Mr Mweemba said the report was made by Michael Mumbi, aged 36, a manager at the Lodge, who stated that a client, a third-year student in the Registered Nursing Course at Kitwe School of Nursing, attempted suicide by ingesting a poisonous substance for reasons yet unknown.

“Brief facts of the matter are that the victim was in good health and mood. Around 13:00 hours, she had lunch with her roommates and suddenly disappeared around 15:00 hours. She later went to the lodge, where she booked and paid for room number 133 at K700 and ordered some food,” Mr Mweemba said.

Mr Mweemba further explained that the victim began sending messages and making phone calls to her relatives, informing them that yesterday would be her last day and that she intended to take her life, adding that no one should be blamed for her actions.

He said the victim also disclosed that her body would be found at the named Lodge in Kitwe.

“The police received this information and rushed to the scene, where the victim was found locked inside the room, lying unconscious. Officers had to force entry by damaging the locking system,” he said.

“Inside the room, officers detected a pungent smell of a suspected poisonous substance, found an empty bottle of wine, and a plate of fried chips,” he said.

Mr Mweemba said that officers, along with the victim’s relatives, rushed her to Wusakile Mine Hospital, where medical staff resuscitated and treated her.

He said the medical staff have since described her condition as stable and out of danger.