‘I might not be here if it wasn’t for van driver’

A PENSIONER is searching for the mystery tradesman who turned Good Samaritan after he collapsed from a heart attack in the street.

Thomas Ward, 69, had become breathless near the traffic lights on Kings Cross Road when he stumbled and fell at the roadside.

Former Tokheim worker Thomas, from Lochee, said a tradesman pulled over in his van shortly after 6am on Monday March 12 to make sure he was OK.

The man, who is believed to be in his twenties, dropped Thomas off near his son Greig’s home i n Strathmartine Road.

Greig, 40, immediately took his father to Ninewells Hospital, and Thomas was admitted for surgery that day to have three stents fitted.

Thomas said he “might not be here” if it hadn’t been for the man dropping him off near his son’s home.

Greig has attempted to track down the van driver via social media as his father wants to thank him face-to-face.

Thomas said: “I hadn’t been feeling right after setting off from my address in Lochee.

“It is a walk I have done regularly and I was hoping to get a bus as I got nearer. I had become breathless and was stopping every 20 yards.

“After I had fallen, the driver pulled over and asked if I was OK and told me to rest. I asked if he could take me f urther along Strathmartine Road which he did — had he not done that I might not be here today. “He could have easily just driven past me that morning.”

Greig, a delivery driver, added: “When Dad came in he was in a bad way. I took him to Ninewells for the back of six.

“They did an operation within the hour and fitted dad with three stents. My wife is a nurse and she had the car at work.

“I have a delivery van and two young kids. It would have been difficult for me to have got to Dad that morning, so we are thankful for what the boy did.

“The van was yellow and red as far as I can remember.”

Thomas added: “The doctors told us the first hour is crucial when you’re having a heart attack.

“I got out of hospital on Friday and I really want to thank the boy for what he did.” Ourvoice PAGE 16

Thomas Ward at home with his son Greig after being discharged from hospital following a heart attack.