The tragic death of well-known paramedic Paul Herbst, director of Medi Response KZN, two days after his return from a rescue mission in Turkey, was followed barely a week later by that of his son Sevaughn, killed in a motorbike accident.
Linda Herbst, Sevaughn’s heartbroken mother who was still reeling from the first blow, said: “We have gone from a family of four to two in a matter of four days. I am numb with disbelief. We have not even buried Paul yet.”
TimesLIVE reports that Paul was part of the Medi Response team under the banner of Gift of the Givers, who travelled to assist Turkey and Syria after the devastating earthquake that left thousands dead or missing.
In a statement on Sunday, Medi Response said they were deeply saddened by the news. The team had returned to South Africa on Saturday along with other South African search and rescue technicians.
“His passion for helping others was evident in the work that he did every day, and he was known for his unwavering commitment to providing care to those in need. The loss is a tremendous blow to the community, and his absence will be deeply felt by all who knew him.”
IOL reports that Gift of the Givers director Imtiaz Sooliman said the organisation was devastated by the news of Herbst’s death.
“Paul had just returned on Saturday with our teams where he was serving in the Hatay District – one of the most destroyed cities in the entire region. When he returned, he thanked me, saying it had been the opportunity of a lifetime, something he had always been waiting for. He told me, ‘I had the chance … to serve, to gain experience and once again thank you’,” said Sooliman.
Medi Response, where Sevaugn Herbst previously worked, said they were “shocked and saddened” by his death. “Sevaughn was not only a former colleague but also a close friend to many of us.”
IPSS Medical Rescue, where Sevaughn worked at the time of his death, said: “He will be remembered fondly by many of us at IPSS Medical who have had the pleasure of knowing him for always having a warm smile and kind words, and his special sense of humour.”
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