An American fast food chain employee has died after throwing himself head-first into a deep fryer.
The man, who has not been named, removed his clothing in the kitchen before plunging into the vat of hot oil at an Olive Garden in Pennsylvania.
State Police confirmed to local outlet The Smoking Gun that the incident was a suicide attempt.
Emergency services were called to the American chain restaurant shortly after 4pm local time.
The worker was transported to hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
Audio from 911 calls revealed the chaotic scene as it unfolded.
A dispatcher told officers: "Burn victim at the Olive Garden. I don't have a lot of details, people screaming, some kind of a burn victim."
A subsequent call provided more specific information to police.
Pennsylvania State Police confirmed to local media the incident was a suicide attempt (file photo)
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The operator told officers: "Male victim went head first into the fryers."
Emergency calls painted a picture of confusion and distress at the restaurant as staff and customers witnessed the tragic incident.
Multiple units responded to the scene following the initial reports of a burn victim.
A female colleague sustained minor burns while attempting to intervene alongside other staff members and at least one customer who tried to stop the man.
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A second ambulance was dispatched to the Olive Garden to treat the her injuries.
A spokesman for the Pennsylvania State Police confirmed to The Smoking Gun that the incident "was a suicide attempt".
They added: "Out of respect for the individual and their family, we do not release information."
Olive Garden has not yet issued a public statement about the tragedy.
Anyone who is in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide can call the Samaritans anonymously for free from a UK phone on 116 123 or go to samaritans.org.
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