A man who had passed out in his car outside Geylang Bahru Market and Food Centre was saved thanks to STOMPer Francis, who noticed something amiss when he saw the man slumped in his car at an awkward angle.

The STOMPer elaborates:

"On Sunday June 17 2012, I was at Block 69 Geylang Bahru Market and Food Centre buying lunch for my Dad. It was close to 12.45pm when I realized that the driver of the parked car beside mine had slumbered inside it at a very awkward position, leaning towards the left passenger seat without lying on it.

"I knocked on the windscreen but there was no response. I sensed that something was not right. I tried opening the door and felt the heat of the car interior from the blazing afternoon sun came rushing towards me.

"I realized that the driver was unconscious and shivering, and the front passenger seat was wet from his forehead perspiration. I tried to put him upright and felt that his entire polo t-shirt had been soaked wet.  

"I went over to the driver's side and was surprised to find the car key at the start position without being turned on. This poor guy had been lying in the heated car for a while and must have collapsed before starting it.

"My sister, who was with me, upon understanding the situation immediately called the ambulance service. Seeing that he had a pulse and was still breathing, no CPR was needed at the moment. The only thing I could do was to start the car and turn on the air-con and try to fan him to bring his body temperature down to prevent heat exhaustion or heat stroke. 

"I went into the hawker centre and asked if anyone knew who the driver was in order to inform his family. My sister went to a nearby clinic together with another uncle resident to get the doctor to come and help. 

"To their shock, the nurse or receptionist told them the doctor would not do consultation outside. Also, even if the doctor went to help and if something was to happen to the man, they will have to be responsible.

"Although it's not the doctor who uttered those words, she was probably following instructions passed down from the doctor. What kind of doctor is this?

"His phone rang before the ambulance came, and I realized that his wife Fauziah was looking for him. The man's name was Kamal and he had left after dropping off his wife at the nearby market, where she has a stall, at 8am. He had remained uncontactable for more than 4 hours.

"I briefly updated her and asked her to come over to our location. Oh man... he has been inside the stationary car for hours... 

"Luckily my wife has a habit of keeping a bottle of medicated oil in the car. It certainly helped. The picture shows the paramedics attending to Kamal before bringing him to the nearby Tan Tock Seng Hospital. He appears to be slowly gaining consciousness.

"Most would have just parked their cars and walked away without looking at the surrounding cars or environment. I was fortunate to have noticed his body was tilted about 70 degrees towards the front passenger seat. This was what aroused my curiosity and I sensed that something might be amiss.

"If he had collapsed sitting straight, we would have lost a father on Father's Day. Sometimes, it’s our sense of awareness that will keep us alive and safe. Most tend to look without seeing and hear without listening (like the lyrics in a song).

"I have friends who were robbed at knife point outside the rest point toilets along some highways, as some crooks were already waiting to ambush victims. Stay safe.

"I understand from the wife that Kamal is suffering from Parkinson’s Disease and might have missed or forgotten to take his medicine.

"Kamal’s car was parked with its back next to the hawker centre facing the Kolam Ayer Police Post.

"It has been a fantastic Father’s Day for me. Wishing Kamal a speedy recovery!"