The road was empty and traffic was very calm, which was usual for this time of the day. She had had a busy couple of days and was very tired, so she couldn't wait to get home.
Then, suddenly, she saw a car in flames in the weaning lane. The fire had already engulfed the entire vehicle. Many people would have simply driven past in such a situation, but Paulina immediately stopped and ran to help. She noticed a middle-aged man who was in shock and quite lost, so she asked him if there was anyone else trapped in the car. He nodded.
"I told him to stay away from the burning car. I tried my best to get him as far away as possible. The gentleman was really confused, so he just walked around the roaring fire. I stayed by his side the whole time, telling him that it was all just sheet metal, that accidents happen and that the most important thing was that he was okay. So he just calmed down a bit," said Paulina.
When the gentleman was a safe distance away, Paulina ran to the SOS point where she called for help. She said that it was a burning car and that no one had been hurt. They immediately managed to pinpoint the location and the fire brigade arrived and put out the fire. The paramedics took the gentleman for observation, just in case.
"I was by his side all the time. We just stayed away from the flames, which were getting stronger and stronger. I was very scared, but when I think of the shock that must have been in the gentleman, I still shudder. His emotions changed from minute to minute (anger, aggression, crying, kindness), but in the end he was just silent. He made me feel so sorry for him," said Paulina, who is a police officer by profession and has been a volunteer first responder in various accidents and emergency situations for many years.
"I will help everyone whenever I can. Even if I'm on the other side of Slovenia, I'll turn around and rush to help - it's always worth it. I've seen too many accidents and deaths that could have had a different outcome if passers-by hadn't looked away."
There have been countless calls for help, and Paulina has always been one of the first on the scene. She provides first aid, transport, psychological support and anything else a person in need needs. She really is a person who cares about her fellow human beings.
"In my profession I see many things; sad and tragic events that some people cannot even imagine. That's why I always act immediately if I can prevent a terrible situation," she added.
Nuša Želko, 23. 2. 2025
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