Steve Southall, a delivery driver at Asda’s Queslett Road store in Great Barr, Birmingham, saved the life of an 84-year-old regular customer thanks to a strong gut feeling that something was wrong.
During a routine grocery delivery, the elderly man asked Steve to leave his bags on the doorstep instead of handing them directly to him. Concerned by the unusual request, Steve completed his other deliveries but decided to return to check on the customer.
Upon his return, he found the shopping still untouched outside the door and no response from inside. Despite calling the customer’s phone, Steve could hear it ringing inside but received no answer. He then contacted the man’s nephew, who also failed to reach him and subsequently alerted the police.
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Officers gained entry to the home and found the man unconscious and cold. He was immediately rushed to intensive care and is now on the road to recovery. The customer, who suffers from health issues including diabetes, owes his life to Steve’s vigilance.
Steve, who has worked at the Asda store for seven years, explained, “I had a gut feeling that something wasn’t right. I’m glad I checked on him—it was the right thing to do. I’m so happy he is now recovering.”
The customer’s nephew praised Steve’s actions, saying, “My uncle is quite stubborn and won’t ask for help. If Steve hadn’t gone back to check on him and called me, I don’t think my uncle would be here today. He saved his life.”
Store manager Gavin Buxton nominated Steve for an Asda service award and said, “We’re all incredibly proud of Steve. If he hadn’t acted so quickly and thoughtfully, the outcome could have been tragic. He always goes the extra mile for customers and colleagues alike and is a valued member of our team.”