Passers-by ignore collapsed woman

Aileen Middlemiss recovers at home last night after collapsing earlier in the day.  Photo by Peter McIntosh.
Aileen Middlemiss recovers at home last night after collapsing earlier in the day. Photo by Peter McIntosh.
Anger turned to disbelief and disappointment for Dunedin woman Aileen Middlemiss yesterday when no-one stopped to help her after she collapsed on a footpath in busy Corstorphine Rd, while slipping in and out of consciousness during a diabetic blood-sugar low.

The 30-year-old mother of two had joined her 5-year-old daughter in yesterday's Walk 'n' Wheel to School event, but because the walk had taken longer than she had expected she was unable to stay and have breakfast with the group at College St School.

At about 8.45am, she started back up Corstorphine Rd to her car, which was parked at the Concord Garage.

About a minute after feeling the first signs of a diabetic low coming on, Ms Middlemiss collapsed.

For the next 30 minutes, she stumbled along the street, in and out of consciousness, unable to call out, but knowing she needed to get to her car, where she kept emergency food and medication.

As she struggled up the street, several cars passed her by.

‘‘At my worst point, I was flat on the ground and a man pulled up directly across from me, got out of the car and went into a house. Then, a police car passed me by and didn't stop.''

She considered going into a house to ask for help, but thought if no-one was home and she collapsed inside the property she might be in a worse position, so she carried on.

Recovered at home last night, Ms Middlemiss said she was over her initial shock no-one had stopped to help her, and instead felt sadness and ‘‘disgust''.

‘‘I was a female, it was the morning on a busy road. I don't look scary or dangerous or anything . . . If it was 11pm and I was a man, you might think twice about stopping, but the least you might do is roll down the window and ask if I needed any help.

‘‘I just don't get it.''

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