An elderly woman who ended up in the water after a collision with a van on Groenelaan in Amstelveen yesterday did not have to wait long for help. A neighbor who heard the crash immediately ran downstairs and jumped into the water.
“The moment I see that car in the water, I think: I have to go there, someone is in it,” says Mike Hereijgers, who lives in the flat next to the ditch where the car ended up. “Then I quickly went downstairs and took off my shoes.”
‘On the dry’
When Mike arrives at the ditch, a policewoman and GGD employee have already jumped into the water. They tried with all their might to open the door. “I jumped into the water to assist and then that officer got the door open,” Mike continues. “Then I helped Mrs. onto dry land.”
It concerns a 79-year-old woman, a police spokesperson told NH Nieuws. “A bystander helped get her out of the water,” she confirms. Police cannot say anything about any injuries, but witnesses say the woman was checked on the spot by paramedics and a trip to the hospital was not necessary.
Silver Thumb
The police praise Mike’s performance, although the spokesperson cannot say whether he is eligible for a so-called Zilveren Thuim, an award for heroic action. “That’s what the basic team Amstelveen is about.”
As far as we know, the driver of the van survived the accident unscathed. Nothing is known about the cause yet.