TAXI driver Meri Robinson went above and beyond the call of duty this week and the result of her actions is a life saved.

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Meri who works for Nelson Bay Taxi’s was scheduled to pick up a regular elderly client at 8.15am in the morning the client had booked the pick up the night before to get to her medical appointment.

When Meri turned up at the residence in Lawson Street things didn’t look quite right.

Meri Robinson told News Of The Area, “Normally the front door would be open with the walker ready to go at the bottom of the stairs.”

On this occasion the door was still locked and the client didn’t respond to Meri’s calling out.

Meri took matters into her own hands and went to the Police Station to report the incident.

What might have happened had Meri not taken action could have been tragic.

After Meri raised the alarm it wasn’t long before Fire and Rescue NSW were on site to gain access for the ambulance service.

“Inside they found that she had had a fall and a stroke, she had tried to get to the phone and it had been knocked off the hook and was sending out an engaged signal,” said Meri Robinson.

Meri has been driving a taxi in the Bay for 11 years and this is the second time that her actions have helped save a life.

She believes it is about being part of the community, if things don’t look right she believes that we need to step up and make sure people are OK.

Next time you see Meri at the taxi stand in the Bay give her a wave – she has been on the road for a while as her shift starts at 4am on the days that she works.

She is just one of the taxi drivers that help our older residents to get about and stay independent.

Meri is hopeful that her client will make a full recovery and will be booking in journeys around the Bay once again in the near future.

By Marian SAMPSON