(Jamaica Gleaner) Constable Merrick Nelson said his life was saved because of a swift decision by a woman and her spouse to transport him to the hospital after he sustained serious injuries resulting in a motor vehicle collision along the Spanish Town Road in Kingston on October 19 last year.
The woman – Suzan Foster – will, on National Heroes Day, October 21, be awarded the Badge of Honour for Gallantry.
In an interview with The Gleaner at the company’s North Street office in downtown Kingston, the cop said he had not got the chance to thank them both at once and so with them being present, he seized the opportunity to do so.
“I’m really appreciative of Suzan and Corey [McDonald] from that time until now, because honestly, with the amount of blood that I lost on that day, if I was there for probably a few more minutes, I would have been unconscious, and they took the time out of their day to assist me in getting up, placing me in their car and transporting me to KPH (Kingston Public Hospital).
“They could have not contacted me, you know, ‘cause them could a say them just a assist another person, but communication was kept, and … we have become a family,” said Nelson, who is attached to the Hunts Bay Police Station in St Andrew.
Foster, who indicated that the award came as surprise, said on the fateful day, she was simply assisting someone who was in need and she is urging others to do the same.
“Just imagine that that person, who is laying on the floor is one of your relatives. That’s the best way I can put it for you and treat them just as how you would have treated your relative – your mother, your father, whoever it is.”
