Friends to rescue in emergency call drama
Published: January 19, 2007
Friends and neighbours rallied around a popular newsagent when he collapsed and was rushed to hospital.
Alan Devereux, of A and G News, in Friars Street, Sudbury, returned from his paper round early last Friday morning barely able to walk.
Wife Gill immediately called for an ambulance and watched in horror as her husband was whisked to West Suffolk Hospital complaining of severe stomach pains.
Gill was preparing to close the shop and find her own way to the Bury St Edmunds hospital when kind-hearted neighbours, Brian and Pauline Suggate, and son Sam, stepped in to help.
Brian and Sam, from the near-by Paulie’s Café, offered to run the shop so Gill could be with her husband.
“You certainly know who your friends are when you need them the most,” said Mrs Devereux.
Mr Suggate added: “It was all a bit of a rush, I took the dog to the groomers, where it had an appointment and Sam looked after the shop. But we were happy to help out.”
With the Suggates manning the shop, another friend, taxi driver David Brett, ensured Mrs Devereux was at her husband’s bedside in no time at all.
“He was an absolute gem,” said Mrs Devereux.
Mr Brett took her to West Suffolk Hospital where she waited with her husband until he was discharged later in the day.
Doctors diagnosed Mr Devereux’s pain had been caused by kidney stones. He is now back at home and grateful to everyone who showed their support.
“Everyone who helped us was absolutely fantastic,” said Mrs Devereux. “I dialled 999 and by the time I put the phone down the ambulance was here.
“We sometimes only hear the bad side of the NHS but we can’t thank them enough.”
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