Last-minute intervention by Turkish police saved the life of Lisa Jane Hyland, a 39-year-old British tourist bent on taking her own life.

When Hyland wrote she would kill herself on her social media account, her friends back home alerted Interpol and the British embassy in Turkey. The embassy contacted Turkish police and told them Hyland checked into a hotel in Marmaris, a resort town popular among British tourists in southwestern Turkey, five days ago.

Checking her room, Marmaris police found Hyland sitting motionless on her bed. She was taken to the hospital and found in good health before she was taken to a police station for an interview.

A large number of razor-inflicted scars were visible on her arms, while local authorities said the woman suffered from "mental problems" and was taking medication. The hotel staff said Hyland never left her room during her stay except to go to the restaurant for lunch and dinner.

Turkish police did not elaborate on the woman's mental health. She was flown back to her country in the company of a British guide yesterday.