UPDATED: Athlone pa dies after plea for help

AN ATHLONE family is shattered after the sudden death of their father on 5 August. 

According to Kieron Adams, his 54-year-old dad Moegamat Karriem Salie ran out of his house on the morning of his death at around 10.25am to ask for help from a neighbour after experiencing a sharp pain in his chest. 

The neighbour, who was on his way to work, then dropped Salie off at Dr Abduraghmaan Day Hospital in Kewtown. 

Adams explained: “Another lady [also a neighbour] accompanied him as he was unable to walk due to the excruciating pain.

“They arrived at the hospital at 10.36am, where a wheelchair was requested. My father waited in the wheelchair for around 20 minutes before being attended to. 

“While waiting, the neighbour noticed that his hands had already turned blue, indicating that blood was not circulating properly.

“After he passed out, staff then began attempts to resuscitate him for approximately 20 minutes. Sadly, these efforts were unsuccessful, and he was declared deceased at 11.15am due to a severe heart attack.” 

Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed the incident, saying: “Athlone police registered an inquest for investigation following the death of a 54-year-old male at a medical facility in Eland Street, Kewtown, on Tuesday, 5 August 2025, at about 2.37pm.” 

Adams added: “When I arrived home from work at 6pm, a neighbour informed me that my father had been rushed to hospital. I did not live with my dad - he stayed just four doors away from me.

“My siblings and I immediately contacted Groote Schuur Hospital to check if he had been admitted, but they told us that no one by the name Karriem Salie was registered there. My only option was to drive to Groote Schuur mortuary, where I tragically found my father.

“The reason the hospital had no record of him was because he had been brought in as ‘unknown’.” 

Adams explained that because his father had passed away before he was attended to and because he didn’t have his ID with him, the hospital didn’t have his details.  

Adams added: “I can’t help but wish I had been with him - I would have made sure he was attended to the moment he arrived at the day hospital. 

“Sadly, my wife’s cousin later told us that she had seen my father struggling to breathe while sitting in a wheelchair waiting for assistance. 

“At the time, she didn’t realise it was him, and only after my wife explained the incident did she understand who he was.”