After having a heart attack while driving, a local resident of McGregor is thankful to be alive and claims his quick recovery was due to the role local paramedics played.
Larry Venter (57), owner of Nazarat Farms in Bonnievale, was driving to McGregor from Worcester on 10 February and experienced pins and needles in his arms.
“I then felt a pain in my chest that was followed by a sharp pain in my back and fingers,” he related to Gazette. “I couldn’t move and had difficulty driving. I called Dr Martin van Jaarsveld and he confirmed I was having a heart attack. He dropped me a location pin and the local Priority Care Ambulance Service from Worcester was then dispatched to Robertson.”
The paramedics reached Venter in Robertson and quickly assisted him. One of them, Quenette Strydom, quickly realised Venter was suffering a severe heart attack, stabilised him and made the call to order an air ambulance helicopter to assist.
The helicopter from Netcare911 safely landed on the school grounds of Robertson High School, from where Venter was safely transported to the Chris Barnard Memorial Hospital in Cape Town.
Doctors told Venter and his family they were lucky because the call to dispatch a helicopter was the decision that ultimately saved his life.
“I was immediately operated on and a few days later I got the last stent,” he said. “I spent a few days in recovery and am thankful I have no permanent heart damage.”
Last week Venter met up with Strydom, the paramedic who made the life saving call, and thanked the team for their efforts.
Christiaan van Zyl of Priority Care told Gazette the service’s goal is to save lives and assist those in need.
“I would like to thank Dr Van Jaarsveld, Quinette and the rest of the Priority Care team.
A big thank you to the Netcare helicopter team, cardiologist Dr Pandie and the team at Christian Barnard Memorial hospital. I am beyond grateful and blessed to be alive.”
Venter is an avid photographer and is looking forward to exploring South Africa and the rest of Africa.
