Nurse Dave Chuttoo Stops to Save Injured Police Officer at Trou-Fanfaron

A nurse's instinct to help didn't switch off when he clocked out. Dave Chuttoo, a nurse by profession, happened to witness a road accident in Trou-Fanfaron — a coastal neighbourhood in the north of Port Louis, near the city's port area — and chose not to drive past. When Chuttoo saw that one of the people involved in the crash was a police officer, he pulled over immediately and rushed to provide first aid while waiting for emergency services to arrive. His quick response ensured the injured policewoman received timely care at the scene. The gesture has drawn widespread praise in Mauritius, where road accidents remain a serious public safety concern. Chuttoo's willingness to stop — rather than leaving the situation for others to handle — has been held up as an example of civic courage and professional responsibility beyond working hours. Trou-Fanfaron is a busy urban zone close to Port Louis harbour, with heavy traffic from trucks, motorcycles and commuters. Road accidents in and around the capital are not uncommon, and bystander intervention in the critical minutes after a crash can make a significant difference to outcomes. The policewoman's condition and the exact circumstances of the accident have not been fully detailed in available reports, but the focus of this story is the human response it prompted — a healthcare worker who saw someone in need and acted. **What this means** Mauritius does not currently have a formal Good Samaritan law that explicitly protects bystanders who provide emergency assistance from legal liability. This can discourage people from intervening at accident scenes. Stories like Dave Chuttoo's serve as a reminder of the value of first-aid training and the difference that a single bystander can make — particularly a medically trained one — in the minutes before an ambulance arrives. For everyday Mauritians, the story raises a broader question: what should you do if you witness a road accident? Basic steps include calling the Mauritius Police Force emergency line (999) or SAMU (emergency medical services) immediately, ensuring your own safety before approaching, and applying basic first aid if you are trained to do so. Chuttoo's actions reflect well on the nursing profession and have resonated with a public that increasingly values community solidarity. Source: Le Defi Media