A HAMMARSDALE resident has been hailed a selfless Samaritan by his employer after he rescued a distraught woman who’s vehicle was being washed away during the Durban storm on Tuesday.
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Ian Nicholson, director of Servochem (Pty) Ltd, a chemical manufacturer based in Briardene wrote an email to all staff informing them and commending his employee, David Miya, for his selfless act of bravery.
David who is a driver for the company was doing deliveries in Jacobs, South of Durban on Tuesday when he realised the area had started to flood after the heavy downpour.
David said he had parked the truck on the side of the road, with a number of other trucks, to wait for the storm to subside when he realised that the rain was not going to stop, so he decided to drive back to Servochem.
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“I used Chamberlain Road to Bluff Road and turned left when I saw the water had risen to just over a metre high. I then saw a woman in her vehicle being washed towards danger and screaming for help,” said David.
He immediately stripped off his overalls, jumped into the water and used one of the canvas strappings on the truck to tie her car to his truck. He then reversed and pulled her slowly to safety.
“We exchanged numbers but unfortunately I realised that I didn’t take down the woman’s details correctly. Being hailed a hero is a bit much. I wasn’t scared of the flooding as in my youth, I played a lot in the water but when I saw the woman in distress, my gut feeling was to do anything possible to bring her to safety,” said David.
Nicholson said he applauded David’s selfless act of bravery and is proud to have him as part of their team.
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