A City Traffic Officer has helped to save the life of a councillor! The incident happened earlier this month on the N1. This week, Officer Anathi Ndyalvan was thanked for his help in saving the life of Councillor Sue Van der Linde.
Mayco Member, JP Smith says, “These anecdotes are all proof that there is plenty of care and quick thinking in our Traffic Service.”
A City Traffic Officer has helped to save the life of a councillor
The story unfolded on the 4th of May, when local councillor Sue Van der Linde was driving on the N1. She was starting to feel ill behind the wheel, and it’s reported that she just made it into the emergency lane before passing out.
It was at this time that Traffic Officer Anathi Ndyalvan stopped to assist. According to a media statement, he recognised an urgent need for medical care. Ndyalvan took it upon himself to drive Van der Linde to a nearby hospital. He opted not to wait for an ambulance on the side of the road.
“The City’s Traffic Service to the rescue – again!”
The councillor had suffered a stroke while driving
A local ER doctor later revealed that the councillor had suffered a stroke. The doctor further stated that the swift action of the officer had helped to save her life. Councillor van der Linde says the ER doctor said that out of every stroke, there are only about 2% of people who make it in time for the injection. She added that if it had been half an hour later, they would not have dispensed the medication to her, because of the risk.
“A City Traffic Officer was this week treated to a surprise appreciation for his swift action in a medical emergency recently, which helped to save the life of a local councillor.”
The Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, says every day, traffic officers across the Safety and Security Directorate do amazing things. Smith says he has been informed of experiences by motorists and the relief they feel when one of our vehicles arrives to assist.
