An 81-year-old man has been killed in tragic circumstances after a "suicidal" woman fell from a seventh floor balcony – and survived by landing on him. The pensioner was sitting on a bench with his wife when the 48-year-old woman fell on top of him during an apparent suicide attempt.

The tragedy, on the morning of 2 December, is reported by local newspapers to have happened near a popular town square in Alicante, Spain. Spanish newspaper El Mundo said the woman was taken to San Juan Hospital suffering serious injuries, but was now in a stable condition. The 85-year-old widow of the deceased pensioner was also admitted to the same hospital for shock.

The destroyed bench, close to La Plaza de Manila, is stained with blood and has been taped off by police. According to local newspaper Diario Informacion, several of the 48-year-old woman's neighbours had said she suffered from depression.

This is not the first time an apparent suicide attempt has ended in the death of a bystander. In May 2013, a man took his life by jumping from the 11th floor of a building in the South Korean port of Busan, landing on top of a five-year-old girl. He died instantly and the girl later died of brain injuries.

The Samaritans provides a free support service for those who need to talk to someone. It can be contacted through Samaritans.org or on 08457 90 90 90, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call charges apply.

If you or someone you know is suffering from depression, please contact a free support service at Mind.org.uk or call 0300 123 3393. Call charges apply.