A 54-year-old woman who collapsed outside a supermarket in New Zealand and was technically dead for a moment still received a parking fine for leaving her car there. The penalty was later reduced but not withdrawn.
Collapse and rescue
The woman fell ill in the car park of the New World supermarket in Orewa, Auckland, on July 26. Other shoppers rushed to help, including one onlooker described as 'truly remarkable' who performed chest compressions when they could no longer find a pulse.
Her father said paramedics later told them her heart had stopped and 'momentarily, she was technically dead'. She was taken to North Shore Hospital.
Fine issued and appeal
Within days, she received an $80 (£35) fine for leaving her car for nearly six hours. Customers are allowed to stay for up to 90 minutes, but her car was parked for 341 minutes.
The penalty from Smart Compliance Management stated: 'Customers are entitled to 90 minutes of parking. Your vehicle was parked for 341 minutes.' She appealed, but the company declined to withdraw it, instead reducing it to $30 (£13) given the 'circumstances'.
Family outrage and apology
Speaking to Stuff, her father said the family was outraged by the 'offensive' penalty. Staff at New World later paid the money into her account to cover it.
Owner-operator Steve McClean told the outlet: 'This was a deeply distressing situation for the customer and their family, and I'm sorry this caused them additional stress and inconvenience.'
A spokesperson for Smart Compliance apologised for the 'additional stress caused to this individual following their medical emergency'. They added their initial response did not 'appropriately take into account the circumstances of the case'.
