MDA Medics Complete Woman's Sukkah After Treating Head Injury in Netanya

A woman in her 60s in Netanya was struck in the head by an iron pole while building a sukkah beneath her home as part of preparations for the upcoming Sukkot holiday. A family acquaintance called Magen David Adom's (MDA) 101 emergency hotline, and rapid-response medics and an ambulance were dispatched to the scene.

Rapid-response medics Nachman Levy and Netanel Peretz, senior EMT Ben-El Amira from MDA's motorcycle unit, and an ambulance crew led by EMT Shmuel Mami examined the woman and provided initial medical treatment. After assessing her condition and determining she was stable and did not require urgent hospital evacuation, the team decided to complete the sukkah so she would be ready for the holiday.

"I was conscious when the MDA team arrived, and I told them exactly what had happened," the woman recalled. "While they were examining me and giving me medical treatment, they asked where the sukkah I had started building was. I thought they were trying to identify which pole had hit me — then I saw them continue to build my sukkah."

Amira, the senior EMT who arrived first on a yellow emergency motorcycle, said the medics stepped in after confirming the woman's condition was stable. "After the team and I examined her, provided medical treatment, and understood that she did not require immediate evacuation, we wanted to make her happy ahead of the holiday and finish the sukkah she had not completed," he said.

An MDA team finishes building a sukkah for a woman after treating her injuries. (credit: Magen David Adom)

The woman said she was deeply moved by their gesture. "I have no words. This is a team of amazing people who came to perform one mitzvah by providing medical care and another by building the sukkah. You made me happy and helped me very much. I wish everyone a happy and safe holiday," she added.

Safety Guidance From Magen David Adom

MDA also issued safety advice for anyone building or using a sukkah:

• Wear closed shoes and clear nearby vegetation to reduce the risk of encounters with snakes or other reptiles.
• Keep access routes to and from the sukkah free of obstacles so occupants can exit quickly if needed.
• Position the sukkah a safe distance from electrical installations and gas canisters; do not use open flames near gas or electrical equipment during construction.
• When building on high-rise balconies, secure awnings, planters, boards, roofing and other items to prevent them from falling onto passersby.
• Keep children away while walls are being erected and make sure walls are securely connected to prevent collapse, especially if made of rigid materials.

In case of injury, MDA advised calling 101 or using the "MyMDA" application immediately and following instructions from the emergency dispatch center until crews arrive.

Photo credit: Magen David Adom