TWO female paramedics last week carried an Upper Ferntree Gully man down more than 50 steps, triggering a council policy backflip.

Rinie Vanzwol, 59, has Hodgkin’s lymphoma and experienced chest pains at his Quarry Road home last Wednesday.

He and his wife Dianne have used a concrete driveway on an adjoining property

for more than 20 years.

But three months ago, new owners Knox Council locked the gates. The couple

last month begged the council to let them use the driveway while Mr

Vanzwol recovered. But at the time, Knox CEO Graeme Emonson told the

Mail the site was “unsafe for public access”.

Mr Emonson said a “special” lock would be placed on the gate

and all paramedics would have a key. But last week an ambulance

crew was unable to unlock it.

Mrs Vanzwol was at work when her husband called 000.

“All hell broke loose,” she said.

Ambulance Victoria spokesman James Howe said the

first emergency crew on the scene did not realise

they had a key to open the gate, and carried Mr

Vanzwol down his front steps.

Mrs Vanzwol said the furious ambulance

crew called the council to complain.

But Mr Howe was not aware of any complaint.

“They may have had a discussion,” he said.

Mr Howe said Mr Vanzwol was in a stable

condition and was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital.

An intensive care paramedic arrived a short

time later and was able to unlock the gate.

Mr Emonson said it was “regrettable” that

paramedics were unable to open the lock.

“To avoid this situation in the future, the lock has

been removed from the Quarry Road gate into council’s

property,” he said.

Mr Emonson said the council would allow access to

the driveway “while working towards a permanent solution”.

“Council is keen to work with the Vanzwols in finding a

solution to this matter as soon as possible,” he said.

Mrs Vanzwol welcomed the move but said that it was the

second time paramedics were unable to access the driveway.

“Unfortunately, it’s taken this,” she said.