Austrian Army medical professionals help young man who faints at testing site

Medical professionals of the Austrian Armed Forces were at the right time in the right place. Not only did they come for the weekend to support Slovakia’s country-wide testing for COVID-19 as part of Op Shared Responsibility, but, besides their swab testing duties at the testing site on the horse racecourse in Bratislava’s Petržalka, they also gave a helping hand when a 26-year-old man fainted and fell to the ground, suffering a head injury. They gave him first aid and brought the unconscious man around.

Expressing his appreciation for the Austrian medical professionals, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “According to my information, the Austrian servicemen responded immediately – they rushed to the man, gave him first aid, brought him around and alerted the rescue service. They demonstrated that uniformed service is a true mission to help others wherever needed.” Minister Naď promised to see the servicemen to thank them for their help in person.

Non-commissioned officers Wolfgang Zwetti, Michael Götz and Stipo Topalovic, led by Col Klaus Streit, helped the injured man. They all are part of the Austrian 33-member military medics unit helping to swab test as Slovakia holds the first round of the nation-wide testing for COVID-19.