The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Street cleaner hailed after sweeping in to help fallen pensioner
Council worker heard 85-year-old’s cries for help and came to her rescue
A street sweeper who came to the rescue of an injured elderly woman has been praised for his actions.
Ian Young heard Helen Brunton’s cries for help after she fell while cleaning her wheelie bin.
Helen, 85, was unable to get up and had to lie on the ground until Ian stopped what he was doing and rushed into her garden in Falkland.
The Fife Council worker managed to lift her on to a garden chair and found a phone number in her house for her granddaughter Helen McBain, who lives nearby.
Pensioner Helen was taken by ambulance to Glenrothes Hospital and, although she had suffered no broken bones, she was badly bruised.
She remains in hospital, where she is recovering from her injuries.
Granddaughter Helen was eager to highlight Ian’s good turn, fearing what may have happened to her grandmother had she lain there longer.
She said: “He went above and beyond the call of duty. I owe him a massive debt of gratitude. I don’t like to think what might have happened if no one had heard her.”
Helen got in touch with local councillor David MacDiarmid in a bid to find and thank the sweeper, whose name she did not know.
Mr MacDiarmid said: “This man has shown concern and compassion in equal measure and he deserves a big thankyou from us all.
“It heartens you to hear of a Fife Council employee going way beyond the call of duty.”
Damien Woods, service manager for parks, streets and open space, added: “As our crews are out and about in communities they’re often able to help with incidents and issues as Ian has done here.
“It’s all part of being a good citizen and building stronger communities but, nonetheless, we’re proud of all they do.”
He went above and beyond the call of duty. I owe him a massive debt of gratitude