Netherlands — A dying man was able to say his last goodbyes to his family after firefighters lifted them to the fourth floor window of his elderly care home.

Henry Nijhove’s family were told he was unlikely to live much longer after his health declined for the worse and risked never seeing his family again due to coronavirus lockdown measures, which prohibit visitors at the Anton de Komplein residential care center in Amsterdam-Zuidoost.

Chanté, the 87-year-old’s granddaughter had the idea of calling the fire brigade and asked for their assistance. The service duly obliged without hesitation. 

On Wednesday (15 April), firefighters lifted family members up in pairs to the fourth floor window in a cherry picker, spending around four hours outside the care home.

“I decided to be a bit naughty, and contacted the fire brigade. I didn’t write any fancy letters, I just called them and told them the story.” Chanté said in a report.

“You would prefer to give someone a kiss one last time, give them a pat and stuff like that, but well it’s better than nothing and I’d rather have this than video calling because here he can still see that you are physically there,” she said.

“I have no words to express how grateful I am that this was even possible, and that we were allowed to do this. It’s like I said, we are a really close family, and my grandfather is really everything to us.” Chanté added.

Henry’s daughter Mildred also thanked the fire brigade and said the family wanted to show her dad that they love him and are there for him.

“This was pretty much the only way he could see his grandchildren again,” Mildred said.

The Netherlands is currently under a coronavirus lockdown until at least 28 April. It is strongly advised that people do not visit people over 70 or anyone with a medical condition.