Officials from the local fire department and traffic service were recently invited to attend a City of Cape Town’s safety and security portfolio committee meeting.
Fire officials Michael Wagner, Ralph Pietersen, Phumla Sotyantya and Cameron Matthee of Kuils River Fire Station and traffic officer Alvino Montjies were commended for their professional response following an accident involving a bakkie and a scooter in Sarepta on 27 June.
Ward 11 councillor Wouter de Vos says he organised to give credit where credit is due after he received a call from a resident, Bronwyn Henry.
Henry says the incident involved her domestic worker. “She was on a scooter with a friend to go and buy some groceries. It happened in Sarepta – on their way home from the shops a bakkie reversed into them.”
Henry says besides a helmet she did not have much protection as she was wearing a dress and flip-flops.
“With the impact she fell off the bike and injured her leg quite badly.”
The friend called Henry to say they’ve been in an accident.
“They are foreign nationals – from Malawi – he wasn’t quite sure what to do. He was feeling a little bit threatened by the community as there was a bit of an argument about whose fault it was.”
Henry says when she got to the scene around 17:30 the fire officials were already there.
“They were so empathetic, so caring and protective – seeing to her and making sure she was comfortable and warm. They obviously did what they could as we had to wait for the paramedics to get there.”
“I think the ambulance and traffic services were in the process of shift change so there was a delay in getting to the accident scene. But the firemen were there until the paramedics arrived. They kept us safe as there were a few elements running about.”
Henry says they were very supportive. She had to go and fetch the woman’s child from the daycare and get someone to babysit.
”The fire officials assured us, ‘don’t worry, we’ll take care of her while you get the baby sorted’.”
Henry says the traffic services then also arrived and took statements from witnesses. She left her details with all services on scene but wasn’t really expecting any feedback. “The next day I got a follow-up from the traffic services and from the fire department to check in on her.”
Although the paramedics only arrived after 19:30 Henry says they also assisted with care and empathy.
“We always hear negative publicity around our public servants – but they really impressed me that evening.”
She was transferred to Karl Bremer hospital and even there at the trauma unit that was very busy, they treated her with utmost care.”
Henry says when she went the next day to visit she was not allowed into the emergency unit but staff was willing to assist.
“They took a phone to her – we took snacks and food – just so we could be contactable because she does not have anyone or know anyone in SA other than the friend she was with when the accident happened. It was quite a daunting experience for her.”
Henry says the friend also called his boss, the owner of a scooter business, from the accident scene. “He was en route somewhere and turned around to come and pick the scooter up as they were scared to leave it there.”
She says as the woman and her friend were very emotional and in a state of shock after the accident it was good to see how people rallied around them.
”It was just incredible to see. One hears of so many foreigners not being treated well and here they were treated with dignity.“
That is why she decided to reach out to the councillor to commend all involved.
The woman still has a slight limp but has recovered well.
“The day clinic in Kuils River who did all her post op treatment, they were also very good to her,” says Henry.
