Rinie Vanzwol stands behind the controversial gates. 25331 Pictures: Casey Neill
By Casey Neill
TWO female paramedics last week carried an Upper Ferntree Gully man down more than 50 steps, triggering a council policy backflip.
Rinie Vanzwol, 59, has Hodgkin’s lymphoma and experienced chest pains at his Quarry Road home last Wednesday.
He and his wife Dianne have used a concrete driveway on an adjoining property
for more than 20 years.
But three months ago, new owners Knox Council locked the gates. The couple
last month begged the council to let them use the driveway while Mr
Vanzwol recovered. But at the time, Knox CEO Graeme Emonson told the
Mail the site was “unsafe for public access”.
Mr Emonson said a “special” lock would be placed on the gate
and all paramedics would have a key. But last week an ambulance
crew was unable to unlock it.
Mrs Vanzwol was at work when her husband called 000.
“All hell broke loose,” she said.
Ambulance Victoria spokesman James Howe said the
first emergency crew on the scene did not realise
they had a key to open the gate, and carried Mr
Vanzwol down his front steps.
Mrs Vanzwol said the furious ambulance
crew called the council to complain.
But Mr Howe was not aware of any complaint.
“They may have had a discussion,” he said.
Mr Howe said Mr Vanzwol was in a stable
condition and was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital.
An intensive care paramedic arrived a short
time later and was able to unlock the gate.
Mr Emonson said it was “regrettable” that
paramedics were unable to open the lock.
“To avoid this situation in the future, the lock has
been removed from the Quarry Road gate into council’s
property,” he said.
Mr Emonson said the council would allow access to
the driveway “while working towards a permanent solution”.
“Council is keen to work with the Vanzwols in finding a
solution to this matter as soon as possible,” he said.
Mrs Vanzwol welcomed the move but said that it was the
second time paramedics were unable to access the driveway.
“Unfortunately, it’s taken this,” she said.
