A man who believed he had been overcharged by a local phone company tried to kill himself in protest.

Suspecting the local telecommunication bureau had overcharged him, Zhu, a resident of Huaian, Jiangsu Province, took an overdose of pills in public on Sunday.

He had received a 200 yuan (US$25) phone bill a few months ago, but, believing that it was a mistake refused to pay. In response the bureau cut off his phone and took Zhu to court.

Outraged, Zhu decided to end his life in protest.

He was rescued by paramedics, and is now out of danger.