“Curiosity killed the cat,” are the words Martin Jeffrey of Emer-G-Med used to describe how an unexpected meeting with a friend helped save a patient’s life.

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Jeffrey received a call on January 7, around 17:30, about a farm worker who was shot on macadamia farm on the Fredenheim road. On route, he happened to drive past his old colleague, Andrew Geldenhuys, SARZA Lowveld chairman, who was curious about Jeffrey’s whereabouts.

“He phoned to ask where I was responding to, and I invited him to join us,” Jeffrey explained.

They found the worker lying in a macadamia orchard who sustained gunshot wounds to his back and arm. Geldenhuys then stabilised the patient and then loaded him into the ambulance.

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“The patient was in a critical but stable condition,” Jeffrey confirmed. Due to heavy rains over the past weeks the ground on the farm was saturated and the ambulance got stuck in the mud while exiting the scene.

“Being a SARZA member and always prepared for the unexpected, Andrew produced a recovery strap and successfully pulled the ambulance free with his 4×4 vehicle,” Jeffrey added.

He praised Geldenhuys for his assistance and quick thinking that helped them arrive safely at the hospital with the patient. Back in 2001 the two medical responders previously worked together at Netcare 911 and still enjoy working together when given the opportunity.