DESPERATE RADIO CALL SAVES WOMAN ONE News A woman has been saved from a potentially fatal overdose after her call for help was heard on live radio
The woman, known as Claire, got through to the Leighton Smith show on NewstalkZB and told him she had given up after a bitter custody battle. She told Smith she was diabetic, had taken too much insulin and just wanted to give up.
While his producer rang the police, Smith kept the caller on the line for six vital minutes and managed to establish that she was in a parked grey coloured car near the Whenuapai air base. That prompted several listeners to rush to the area and within a very short time cars going both ways stopped to help.
Melissa Phillips told ONE News she ran up to the car and asked the woman her name. "She wouldn't open the door so I got my fire extinguisher to smash the window."
Inspector Willie Taylor says a police unit got to the scene as soon as they could but the timely arrival of listeners helped immensely and without that help it is anyone's guess what state Claire would be in now.
Some people are questioning whether NewstalkZB should have put such a distressing call to air at all but manager Bill Francis is defending the decision.
"Carolyn the producer clearly thought Leighton could help this person - she was wanting to talk to Leighton and that's exactly what happened so the decision to put her to air in the end was a good one," he says.
And Lifeline counsellor Rita Inch has cautiously endorsed the actions.
"I think that Leighton did a very good job in supporting her while he gathered information. He became directive when it was needed to be directive, he encouraged her when he picked up on the right things and the outcome was very good," she says.
Smith went on to finish his programme while his caller was taken to hospital. |