By CASEY NEILL
AN ELDERLY Springvale man almost became a victim of last week’s run of four 40-plus degree days.
Police pulled him over as he drove through Kallista, following reports of dangerous driving.
Leading Senior Constable Ken Tromp said the man, in his mid-80s, seemed disorientated and lost.
“We were able to get him off the road and get him re-hydrated,” he said.
City of Greater Dandenong opened cool rooms to the public on Thursday and Friday after the Department of Health activated the council’s heatwave plan.
The rooms at Springers Leisure Centre in Keysborough, Dandenong Oasis, Jan Wilson Community Centre and the Paddy O’Donoghue Centre had air-conditioning and drinking water on hand.
The municipality’s air-conditioned libraries were also open until 9pm in response to soaring temperatures.
Dandenong Oasis administration frontline co-ordinator Tash Mandic said the complex’s cool room was well-utilised.
“Every time we went in to fill up water there was always a large group of people utilising that room,” she said.
Ms Mandic said more than 7500 people used the pool between Monday and Friday mornings, with children enjoying Splash Zone school holiday activities running between 1pm and 4pm.
“We had a lot more people coming through the centre over the past week for a way to cool down,” she said.
“Definitely more people than usual.
“We’ve had enough staff on and keeping refreshments up.
“We’ve coped well but I’ll personally be happy once this heatwave is over.”
