Paramedic Mr Avi Lange, who waded through floodwater and broke burglar bars with his bare hands in order to save lives, has been named Netcare 911’s Carer of the Year.
The paramedic saved the lives of five children, four women and a dog during the November floods.
“At Netcare 911, care is at the centre of everything we stand for, which is why the Netcare 911 Carer of the Year awards is a very special event for us. The nominees are individuals who have stood out for going beyond the call of duty to care for members of the public who are in need of a helping hand,” said Mr Craig Grindell, Netcare 911’s chief operating officer.
“This year, we are delighted to congratulate advanced life support paramedic, Mr Lange, of the Netcare 911 based at Netcare Linksfield Hospital, on being selected as our 2016 Carer of the Year. He showed selfless determination and bravery in assisting members of the public who were trapped by rising floodwater after heavy rains in Johannesburg in November,” said Mr Grindell.
On that day, Mr Lange attended to people who were in a motor vehicle accident and was on his way back to the Netcare 911 base when his progress was blocked by a number of flooded roads. He noticed a man who appeared distressed and immediately asked whether he could be of any assistance. The man explained that his wife and children were trapped in their home in a nearby complex.
“With the help of another good Samaritan, he rescued two women and a dog from the rising waters at one unit in the complex. A second house in the complex presented a more challenging scenario, as a woman and five children were trapped inside with no means of escape,” said Mr Grindell. Through a window, Mr Lange reassured them that he was there to help them to safety. The floodwater was rising higher and higher, however, and time was of the essence.
A floating piece of wood in the flood debris came to hand, and he used it to smash the glass of the window but the burglar bars still stood between him and the desperate family. Mr Lange later recalled how a surge of pure adrenaline suddenly gave him the strength to break the burglar bars with his bare hands and assist the woman and children to safety. Finally, he rescued an elderly woman who was also in distress due to the sudden flooding.
“Mr Lange’s actions are indicative of true caring, and we applaud him for his bravery and tireless dedication to helping others. Our other Netcare 911 Carer of the Year nominees have all demonstrated their care for others in various ways, and we are proud of their service to society,” said Mr Grindell.
