Keep Khell on your speed dial
This local breakdown operator says: "I have come across scenes that have made me cry. That is my motivation. I will never stop helping people in need."
POLOKWANE – In this city, one of the people who should definitely be on your speed dial is Khell van der Lith, a vehicle breakdown operator or as many people know him, a lifesaver.
He is often the first person to respond to an accident in the city, and often calls for help and even assists victims in need at the scene.
Khell says he is passionate about helping others.
“I have come across scenes that have made me cry. That is my motivation. I will never stop helping people in need.”
Having been in the breakdown business for over nine years, Khell has picked up some tricks along the way and says his advice to someone who has just been in an accident is to stay calm.
“There have been many incidents where people escalate an accident into something more serious because they pick a fight,” he says. He is not only a breakdown operator, he is also skilled in CPR. “As the first person to respond to a scene, training in first aid is critical. Everyone should know CPR at least,” he advised.
Khell works long hours and as such, he spends his remaining time with his loved ones. He says family must always come first in any business but especially his because he needs to make up for the long hours he spends away from his.
He adds that some of the biggest challenges he has on an accident scene is to be the person who asks someone who has just been in an accident, if he can tow away the vehicle: “Even though it is my job and I love to assist, it feels as if I ask them for money at the absolute worst point in their lives”.
“I have seen things in my life that have made me lay awake at night and most of the accidents could have been prevented,” he said.
He urges people to be alert at all times and obey the rules of the road.
