Dear Sir,

My partner and I were visiting your beautiful country a couple weeks ago. We were visiting via the cruise ship MS Veendam on Holland America Line.

While walking along Front Street near the ferry dock, my partner stumbled and suffered a severe fall. Before I could bend down to offer assistance, a very kind gentleman stopped his truck, jumped out and was by our side immediately. He assisted in getting my partner upright and assessed that he was going to be OK.

Before he left, another gentleman appeared. He stated he was with the tour boat at the dock and had also seen the accident. He stated he needed to assist the passengers off the boat, but would be right back with salve and bandages for the cuts to his arm. He instructed us to just sit down and wait — he would return.

We want to give our heartfelt gratitude to both gentlemen for their care and concern.

Once my partner was upright and bandaged, both men vanished from our dishevelled sight. We don’t know who these two men were, but we want them to know how much their help and concern were appreciated.

Back at the ship, the doctor assured us there were extensive bruises, scrapes and abrasions, but no broken bones. What a relief.

Please convey to the kind residents of the Hamilton area how much we appreciated not only the assistance of these two gentlemen, but the help and kindness of others that gave directions, assisted with shopping, pointed out interesting information on the buses and ferry boats, and were so all-round friendly every day of our visit.

PATRICIA WOLHETER, GEORGE NORMOYLE, Olympia, Washington State