A respected surgeon has been told to prove he saved a woman’s life or pay a £50 parking fine.
Dr Nick Lagattolia was returning to his car after visiting a bank in Dorchester, Dorset, when he spotted a woman having a cardiac arrest in the street on September 15.
He brought the collapsed causality into the bank, where he gave her treatment for three hours which ‘essentially saved her life’.
But while he treating the woman, his car had been slapped with a £50 parking fine, with the council saying it needs evidence of the good deed before cancelling the fee.
The Winterbourne Hospital consultant, with 40 years of experience, has accused the local authority of showing a ‘lack of goodwill’ towards him.
Describing the situation as ‘aggravating’, he explained that he received an email when he arrived home telling him his ‘ticket was invalid’ and that he would have to pay a £25, which will rise to £50.
‘I thought, okay, I’ll just tell them the story and it will be okay, so I emailed and got in touch with them and they basically responded saying that “we don’t believe you”,’ he said.
‘I always buy a ticket and frankly it’s annoying and aggravating that I’m still being charged, despite helping a woman after suffering a cardiac event.
Dr Nick Lagattolia (Pictured) has been told to prove he saved a woman’s life or pay a £50 parking fine.
Trinity Street, where Dr Lagattolia car was parked as he treated a woman who was having a cardiac arrest
‘The fact that it’s come at this time of year is pretty unseasonal from Dorset Council and delayed considering it took place months ago, I thought they dropped the matter after explaining it to them.
‘It strikes me that the council are being inconsiderate and inappropriate and it feels like there is no good will from them, given these rather unique circumstances.’
Dorset Council stated it was ‘standard process’ to request proof from an individual to ensure ‘fairness, transparency and compliance’.
A spokesperson for Dorset Council said: ‘In line with our standard process, we’ve requested documentary proof directly from the individual.
‘We always include details on how to make payment, and we require supporting evidence for all appeals because this is a legal process.
‘Clear documentation is essential to ensure fairness, transparency, and compliance.’
