Firefighters Lift Family To Fourth Floor Window So Dying Man Can Say Last Goodbyes

A dying man in the Netherlands was able to say his last goodbyes to his family after firefighters lifted them to the fourth floor window of his care home.

Henry Nijhove's family were told he was unlikely to live much longer after his health took a turn for the worse and he risked never seeing his family again due to coronavirus lockdown measures, which prohibit visitors at the Anton de Komplein residential care center in Amsterdam-Zuidoost.

NH Nieuws

The 87-year-old's granddaughter Chanté subsequently had the idea of calling the fire brigade and asking for their assistance and the service duly obliged without hesitation.

On Wednesday (15 April), firefighters lifted family members up in pairs to the fourth floor window in a cherry picker, spending around four hours outside the care home.

According to AT5, Chanté said: "I decided to be a bit naughty, and contacted the fire brigade. I didn't write any fancy letters, I just called them and told them the story.

"You would prefer to give someone a kiss one last time, give them a pat and stuff like that, but well it's better than nothing and I'd rather have this than video calling because here he can still see that you are physically there.

"I have no words to express how grateful I am that this was even possible, and that we were allowed to do this. It's like I said, we are a really close family, and my grandfather is really everything to us."

NH Nieuws

Henry's daughter Mildred also thanked the fire brigade and said the family wanted to show her dad that they love him and are there for him.

She said: "This was pretty much the only way he could see his grandchildren again."

The Netherlands is currently under a coronavirus lockdown until at least 28 April. It is strongly advised that people do not visit people over 70 or anyone with a medical condition.

As in the UK, people may only leave their homes to buy groceries, care for vulnerable people, get fresh air and travel to work if they cannot work from home.

Topics: World News, Inspirational, Coronavirus

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey