A New Zealand parking management company has apologized to a woman it ticketed after she suffered a heart attack and was briefly declared dead in the same lot where her car remained parked for hours.
The ticket arrived after a near-fatal heart attack
The incident occurred on July 26 in Orewa, a town north of Auckland. The woman, whose name has not been disclosed, parked her car outside a supermarket allowing free parking for up to 90 minutes. While inside, she collapsed from cardiac arrest.
Paramedics revived her, though her father later stated medical staff confirmed her heart had stopped. She was transported to the hospital, leaving her vehicle in the lot for nearly six hours before it was moved.
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Days later, Smart Compliance Management (SCM), the firm contracted to oversee the parking area, issued an $80 breach notice for exceeding the time limit. The notice arrived after the woman had been discharged from the hospital.
The company’s response drew criticism
After appealing the ticket, she explained the circumstances. SCM initially rejected the appeal, stating the notice was correctly issued under the posted terms.
Once the story became public, SCM released a statement acknowledging its initial response had not properly considered the situation.
The technology SCM uses to monitor parking relies on Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), enhanced by artificial intelligence. However, the system has faced previous scrutiny. In May, SCM issued incorrect fines after confusing the letter “O” with the number “0” on a custom license plate. The company attributed that error to human oversight rather than the AI itself.
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It remains unclear whether the same system flagged the woman’s car or if a staff member reviewed the case before issuing the ticket. SCM did not answer questions about how often its AI processes appeals or whether it has policies for medical emergencies.
The woman, still recovering, opted not to challenge the fine. The situation highlights how automated systems handle exceptions, particularly in life-threatening cases.
For now, the parking lot’s 90-minute limit remains unchanged. SCM’s apology did not alter the fact that the ticket was issued. The company says it is reviewing its procedures, though no specific changes have been announced for future incidents.
