Officials from the local fire department and traffic service were recently invited to attend a City of Cape Town\u2019s safety and security portfolio committee meeting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Henry says the incident involved her domestic worker. \u201cShe was on a scooter with a friend to go and buy some groceries. It happened in Sarepta \u2013 on their way home from the shops a bakkie<\/span> reversed into them.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Henry says besides a helmet she did not have much protection as she was wearing a dress and flip-flops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWith the impact she fell off the bike and injured her leg quite badly.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n The friend called Henry to say they\u2019ve been in an accident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey are foreign nationals \u2013 from Malawi \u2013 he wasn\u2019t 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.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Henry says when she got to the scene around 17:30 the fire officials were already there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey were so empathetic, so caring and protective \u2013 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.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI 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.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Henry says they were very supportive. She had to go and fetch the woman\u2019s child from the daycare and get someone to babysit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201dThe fire officials assured us, \u2018don\u2019t worry, we\u2019ll take care of her while you get the baby sorted\u2019.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Henry says the traffic services then also arrived and took statements from witnesses. She left her details with all services on scene but wasn\u2019t really expecting any feedback. \u201cThe next day I got a follow-up from the traffic services and from the fire department to check in on her.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Although the paramedics only arrived after 19:30 Henry says they also assisted with care and empathy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe always hear negative publicity around our public servants \u2013 but they really impressed me that evening.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She was transferred to Karl Bremer hospital and even there at the trauma unit that was very busy, they treated her with utmost care.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Henry says when she went the next day to visit she was not allowed into the emergency unit but staff was willing to assist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey took a phone to her \u2013 we took snacks and food \u2013 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Henry says the friend also called his boss, the owner of a scooter business, from the accident scene. \u201cHe was en route somewhere and turned around to come and pick the scooter up as they were scared to leave it there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201dIt was just incredible to see. One hears of so many foreigners not being treated well and here they were treated with dignity.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n That is why she decided to reach out to the councillor to commend all involved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The woman still has a slight limp but has recovered well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe day clinic in Kuils River who did all her post op treatment, they were also very good to her,\u201d says Henry.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Officials from the local fire department and traffic service were recently invited to attend a City of Cape Town\u2019s safety and security portfolio committee 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