Sue Praises Traffic Officer Who Helped Save Her Life While Suffering a Stroke Behind the Wheel

Photo Credit: Sue van der Linde via Facebook

When Sue van der Linde unexpectedly suffered a stroke while driving on the N1, seconds mattered. A local traffic officer wasted no time, rushing her to the hospital just in time to prevent the unthinkable.

Cape Town, South Africa (21 May 2026) – While driving alone on the N1, Sue van der Linde suddenly became critically ill and blacked out behind the wheel. Upon coming to, she managed to pull into the emergency lane before passing out once again.

It was Monday, May 4, and what followed is something Sue will never forget.

Stationed in the yellow lane not too far away was a traffic police vehicle, with Traffic Officer Anathi Ndyalvan inside. Sue managed to get as close to his vehicle as possible while also calling the City Emergency Line, which immediately reacted to her situation.

“Officer Anathi immediately came to assist me and recognised that this was a serious medical emergency. He flagged down an ambulance, but unfortunately, this was a returning vehicle that had no paramedic, only the driver,” Sue recalls in a social media post.

The driver did what she could, but time was ticking. It was then that Officer Anathi made the crucial decision to call in another traffic officer to take over his place and take Sue to the hospital himself.

“That decision quite literally saved my life.”

Sue shared that doctors later confirmed that she had suffered a stroke and that she arrived just in time to receive the clot-buster injection that prevented what could have been a devastating or even fatal outcome.

Officer Anathi’s quick thinking and brave call to drop everything to aid her prevented the unthinkable.

A grateful Sue extended her appreciation to the officer, admitting that “thank you will never be enough”.

“Your quick thinking, compassion and decisive action gave me a second chance at life, and I will remain forever grateful.”

Sue, who also happens to be a local ward councillor, also acknowledged the incredible professionalism of the City’s Emergency Call Centre staff, who handled her call calmly, efficiently and compassionately.

“They acted as the vital bridge between the available emergency services and the young officer on the ground assisting me. I have never been more proud to serve my residents as a member of the City of Hopes Caucus.”