A DAD has shared his praise for Caerphilly County Borough Council after they helped get an ambulance through nine inches of snow to help his daughter who was having a life-threatening fit. 


Eddy Blanche, of Fochriw, said the council were "fantastic" after they sent a gritter, JCB and plow to help an ambulance drive up his road on Sunday after his daughter Auburn Reader, 27, collapsed in the street after having an epileptic seizure. 


Mr Blanche has since shared a video on his Facebook page of the vehicles on his road and praised the council for their help - which has hit nearly 2,000 shares. 


The 48-year-old said he posted the status to show a positive story about the council and share his praise.


Mr Blanche said: "The gritting team ploughed for more than a mile to get an ambulance to my daughter who was having a life threatening epileptic seizure.


"Think of this next time you slag off the gritting teams."


Mr Blanche explained his daughter Auburn has suffered from severe epilepsy and has been having seizures since the age of 14. 


Her seizures can last for up to four minutes but once they get past ten minutes it becomes life threatening and an ambulance has to be called.


Mr Blanche said: "Luckily, our village knows Auburn and about her condition so they covered her with blankets and I called an ambulance.


"Because we had nine inches of snow, there wasn't much chance of the ambulance getting here easily.

"I have rang the council's emergency line before in previous situations so rang them again this time.


"It was a bit of a shock to see a JCB, plow and gritter come up. They worked all the way up the road to get the ambulance to Auburn and took her to hospital where she's now recovering."


The 48-year-old expected it to be a long wait but said the team and the ambulance service turned up in 35 minutes.


"On a good day the ambulance will turn up in a hour so to see it turn up in 35 minutes in those conditions was a sight," Mr Blanche said.


"It was great to see the cavalry - so to speak - turn up so fast.


"People moan about the gritters so much but this is what they are here for - they reacted very well in a life threatening situation."


Ms Reader is now recovering in the Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil.

Deputy leader of the Council, Cllr Sean Morgan said, “Our Highways team worked tirelessly over the weekend to keep our county borough moving following the period of inclement weather.

"It’s pleasing to hear the team, together with the telephone operator, were able to assist the emergency services in ensuring this resident could be transported swiftly to hospital for treatment.

“Ensuring the safety of our residents and keeping the county borough on the move during periods of bad weather remain key priorities for us, as does retaining vital services for the most vulnerable members of our community during adverse weather."