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Delivery driver from Waitrose Allington Park saves 100-year-old woman from catching hypothermia in Rainham

A supermarket delivery driver has been praised by paramedics for his quick thinking after he helped an elderly woman in distress and at risk of hypothermia while on his evening rounds.

Telmo Cerveira, who works at Waitrose in Allington Park in Maidstone, was driving to his last delivery of the day in Rainham at around 9pm on Monday, January 25.

Telmo Cerveira at Waitrose in Allington Park. Picture: Emily Louise Rance
Telmo Cerveira at Waitrose in Allington Park. Picture: Emily Louise Rance

As he pulled up to the address near Guardian Court he spotted an elderly woman sitting on the floor in her night dress with no shoes on.

Mr Cerveira put his deliveries on hold to help the woman who was shivering and calling for help.

The 28-year-old, from East Malling, said: "We carry emergency blankets in our vans so I took one out and gave it to her along with my jacket.

"I phoned the ambulance because I didn't know how long she had been there and I waited with her.

"When paramedics got there, they asked her a few questions and when she gave her date of birth she said she was 100."

The woman was spotted near Guardian Court in Rainham. Picture: Google Street View
The woman was spotted near Guardian Court in Rainham. Picture: Google Street View

The ambulance arrived in just 15 minutes and assisted the woman who was reportedly close to catching hypothermia.

Mr Cerveira carried on with his final delivery then waited to see if she was okay before heading back to his home in East Malling to his wife and five children.

He has only been working for the supermarket for three months and was formerly a chef at The Woodlands Beefeater in Gravesend.

The dad, who has certainly made an impression in his new role, added: "We are not just drivers, we are here to help people. I know any one of my colleagues would have done the same but it's nice that I was there at that time and moment."

A spokesperson from the South East Coast Ambulance Service said: "An ambulance crew attended the scene following concerns for the welfare of an elderly woman.

"We would like to thank Mr Cerveira for his quick thinking and actions to keep the woman warm prior to our arrival.

"The ambulance crew worked with police to establish the woman’s identity and take her to safety."

Jeremy Barnard, branch manager at Waitrose Allington Park said: "We were sorry to learn of what must have been a very distressing experience for both the woman and her family, but are extremely proud of Telmo's actions and are grateful to the ambulance crew for their swift response.

"Telmo and all our team here would like to send our best wishes."

The branch is also planning to send her some flowers.

Read more: All the latest news from Kent

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