MBOMBELA – An experienced Lowveld tour guide died at The Grove Centre on Friday afternoon, after he had collapsed in front of Bed City.
Mr Cliff Warren is believed to have been in his ’60s. Ms Tracey Meaker from African Safari Adventures said he worked as a freelance tour guide for the company. Her husband, Mr Greg Meaker, said “Cliffie Warren the legend” was a friend and an experienced and wonderful tour guide.
He said he had left a group of tourists at the botanical garden, which was unusual, before driving to The Grove where he collapsed.
Bed City salesman Mr Ricardo Rabophata saw him collapse in front of the shop. He helped him inside and called an ambulance. He said Warren was sweating profusely and said “I am going to die”.
Ms Kim Habib, advanced life-support paramedic for ER24 attended to Warren on the scene. She said the ambulance team arrived first.
At the time Warren was able to speak. She said they treated him for a possible heart attack, but after 10 minutes he became unresponsive. The medics called her for a resuscitation, and Habib arrived six minutes later.
She said they did everything they could, but after 30 minutes it proved to have been to no avail. She suspects he suffered either a massive heart attack or a stroke. “We did everything we could. It was heartbreaking,” she said.
After the medics had arrived, Rabophata went out to make a delivery. Upon his return, he learned that Warren had died. Bed City area manager
Ms Jean Cameron said the store’s staff was traumatised. They closed the store for the afternoon.
Meaker arrived at the scene before Habib. She said he had to leave to attend to the tourists at the garden, and they kept in constant phone contact.
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