RUNNING headlong into the line of fire is something that would make most people think twice.
But Grieta Heymans didn’t think about her own safety for a moment last Tuesday when she ran boldly into a hijacking situation to save a two-year-old boy.
Heymans and her husband Johan own a crèche in Empangeni where the hijacking occurred at 5pm.
Mother Kaylene van Vuuren had collected her child and was approach by two armed men as she was getting into her car.
Fearing for the safety of her son already strapped in his car seat, Van Vuuren fought the attackers to keep her car keys away from them.
Realising the potential danger the boy was in, Heymans acted instinctively. She ran to the car, grabbed the boy and took him to the safety of the crèche.
Van Vuuren was also praised for her bravery in protecting her son.
Grieta can only be described as a heroine. She put herself in danger to save the life of another, abandoning all thoughts of self preservation.
Van Vuuren told the Zululand Observer (ZO) that Grieta was the only reason her child was unharmed.
With this in mind, the ZO decided to honour Grieta with a Community Hero award.
‘Her selfless act to save a child’s life is an inspiration to us all,’ said Managing Director Regina Anthony. ‘It epitomises what our society needs.’
