An Illinois man almost died Monday in the men’s restroom at Hy-Vee grocery store after an attempt to take his own life.

According to Albert Lea Police Chief Dwaine Winkels, the man had attempted to strangle himself with zip ties. He reportedly came into the store after already putting on the ties but had changed his mind and tried to cut himself loose.

He had already begun to lose circulation in his face when he came in the store and was seen walking to the restroom by a store employee. Employees called police.

Winkels said the man had successfully cut off one of the ties but passed out before being able to get the second one off.

Officials responded to the store and were able to get the second tie off.

The police chief said the man would have died if the second tie had not been cut off when it was.

The incident reportedly took place at 5:12 a.m. Monday.