Facebook suicide threat sparks massive manhunt in Eilat

An Eilat man who threatened suicide on his Facebook profile was found injured near the city Wednesday, after a massive manhunt sparked when worried friends contacted police over his post on the social media website.

The 44-year-old's car was found Tuesday night next to an army base near the city and he was located in the early hours of Wednesday, able to walk but with two broken ribs.

The man, who is divorced and the father of a 10-year-old girl, moved to Eilat following the end of his marriage several months ago, and was apparently unemployed. One of his friends saw his "farewell" message on Facebook on Tuesday, in which he said that he was sick of his life, and could not live anymore. Several of his friends, including the one who saw the message, tried unsuccessfully to locate him and then contacted the local police.

"From the moment we were notified, we took the situation very seriously and with great urgency," said Eitan Gadassi, deputy commander of the Eilat region police force, adding that a helicopter had been deployed in the hunt for the man, as well as specialist army troops.

Gadassi said that police had also pinpointed the man's cellular phone, which allowed them to trace his car to a local riverbed, close to the army base. The phone was in the car, but the man was still missing.

Police forces and some 20 search and rescue volunteers launched a hunt for the man in the area in which the car was found, but halted the search shortly before midnight only to resume at first light. The helicopter was kept in Eilat overnight in order to continue the search too.

The man was located early Wednesday morning in a crevice in the riverbed, although some distance from his car. He was fully conscious and able to walk, although weak and suffering from two broken ribs after a fall. He was taken to Yoseftal Hospital in Eilat.

The man said following his rescue that he had never had any intention of killing himself. He is still hospitalized, and will be questioned by police once his condition has stabilized.