Grandfather chases ambulance to thank staff

A GRANDFATHER in Chimbu chased a passing St John Ambulance vehicle and flagged it down just to thank them for saving his granddaughter’s life.
Moeaputi from a village in the Salt Nomane area of Chimbu’s Karamui-Nomane district expressed his gratitude for the Chimbu Health Authority-supported St John Ambulance service as a vital part of health care in his province.
According to St John while Salt Nomane had faced election-related chaos, his two-year-old granddaughter became ill with a respiratory emergency.
He called the ambulance service on 111 with a plea for help.
The Chimbu PHA St John Ambulance team were dispatched from provincial capital Kundiawa to help.
The ambulance negotiated its way over rugged roads and road blocks to arrive in time to stabilise the distressed child and take her to the Sir Joseph Nombri Provincial Hospital.
The ambulance was passing through Moeaputi’s village on Thursday when he saw them and chased after the ambulance.
Station commander Laiboi Laiboi said the crew were confused why someone was chasing them and stopped to find out and offer assistance if needed.
“When the crew stopped to find out, Moeaputi said he couldn’t let them pass by without thanking them for saving his granddaughter,” he said.
St John chief executive officer Matt Cannon said he wanted to share this encounter with the rest of the country as it was touching and highlighted the important work of the ambulance service.
“We want to share this post with you because we at St John, are so proud of the work that all ambulance men and women do each day to help others,” he said