NEWCASTLE – There are angels among us, living and working alongside us. Their wings might be hidden from mortal eyes, but their deeds are laid bare for all to see.
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Michelle Bezuidenhout found her guardian angels in an aisle in Pick n Pay on July 18.
“It was Mandela Day and I remember waking up, wondering what people would be doing for their 67 minutes.”
Thinking about good deeds, she went to work and carried on with her daily routine.
“During the day, I had to go to Pick n Pay for my work. I walked into aisle seven and then woke up in hospital.”
Michelle suffered an epileptic seizure.
Geneo Pikes, assistant manager, said he was on duty when Mrs Bezuidenhout came in.
“I was in the office, busy on the phone when one of the merchandisers came and I said I must come to aisle seven.”
Thinking it was a customer in need of stock price, he went to aisle seven.
“When I got there, I saw Michelle on the floor and knew something had happened.”
He immediately put her on her side and rushed back to his office to fetch the first aid box.
“I am a first aider and knew that she had to be put on her side. I noticed a lot of blood and got the first aid box, put on the gloves and put pressure on the wound.”
Mrs Bezuidenhout hit her head when she fell.
Mr Pikes was quickly joined by his colleagues, Sbusiso Dhladhla, Sbusiso Khumalo and Jeffery Marais.
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They closed the aisle and attended to Mrs Bezuidenhout.
Mr Dhladhla ran back to the office, contacted ER24 and tried to track down Mrs Bezuidenhout’s family.
ER24 arrived at Pick n Pay within minutes and rushed Mrs Bezuidenhout to hospital.
“Margery Meijerink from ER24 was one of the first people I saw when I woke up at the hospital. She told me what happened and it was the first time I have ever had an epileptic seizure.”
Now on the mend, Mrs Bezuidenhout believes Pick n Pay staff and ER24 need to be acknowledged.
“I had small medals made for them and wrote them each a small letter. They were angels and did not treat me just like some random person. They helped me as though I were a regular customer and a friend. They are truly special people.”
“They were calm and they did everything perfectly. They are the reason Michelle is on the road to recovery.”
Mrs Meijerink said Pick n Pay staff were to be complimented.
