Hero paramedic praised for rescue of elderly woman from burning building
Rescue Care paramedic Ian Wessels did not hesitate to rush into the burning building to rescue an elderly woman stuck on the third floor.
“PHEFUMULA Gogo” which means breathe, are the words paramedic Ian Wessels says he kept on screaming to the elderly woman he rescued from a burning block of flats opposite Berea Centre on Saturday afternoon.
ALSO READ: Stats reveal 14 million go to bed hungry in SA
Wessels, who was returning to the Rescue Care ambulance base says he saw smoke and was flagged down by bystanders and immediately called for the Durban Fire Department. Although the blaze was burning fiercely, Wessels did not hesitate, running into the burning building to rescue the woman.
“A security guard informed me that there was a sick lady on the 3rd floor. At that stage my mind was set and I said to myself get in and out, no matter the danger or circumstance. There is a life up there and I will get her out because everyone deserves to live. My experience and training came in handy because in such situations its very important to keep calm and not panic. By the time I got to her she was unresponsive. After getting her out I administered oxygen and kept screaming in Zulu, ‘Gogo breathe!’ and thank God she came by and said her legs were sore. I was so relieved. ,” he said.
Rescue Care’s Garrith Jamieson praised Wessels heroic act. “Ian’s dedication does not go un-noticed and management applauds his actions, which definantly resulted in the prevention of a fatality. He managed to rescue the elderly lady who was then carried down the stairs and then to an awaiting ambulance. She was stabilised on the scene before being transported to hospital. At this stage the events leading to the fire are unknown, however the fire is being investigated further.”
Durban Fire Department worked quickly to extinguish the blaze. Wessels told Berea Mail what he would be visitng the woman in hospital.”It has been such a hectic weekend for me. I will go past hospitals to find out where she is and how she is doing I make a point to follow up on the progress of patients,” he added.
Do you want to receive news alerts on this and many other stories relevant to the Durban area via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 060 532 5535.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Berea Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts
