In the public life of a city, the sudden loss of a dedicated official serves as a jarring reminder of the fragility of those who serve in local governance. Dündar Ziya Gültekin, the Deputy Mayor of Üsküdar, was a man whose career was defined by his commitment to his community. Born in 1983, Gültekin was a graduate of the Istanbul University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, a background that grounded him in the practical work of public service.
During a recent period, the trajectory of Gültekin’s life came to a sudden, tragic halt. While traveling near the Kaynaşlı district of Düzce, he was caught in a multi-vehicle traffic accident on the Anatolian Highway. The highway, a critical artery for transport in the region, became the site of a chaotic scene that left five others seriously injured. In the immediate aftermath of the crash, the situation for Gültekin took a turn that was as unexpected as it was devastating. While the accident itself was a significant event, it acted as a catalyst for a secondary, fatal medical emergency: a heart attack.
In those harrowing moments on the highway, the response was immediate. A doctor who happened to be passing by the scene stopped to provide urgent medical intervention, attempting to stabilize Gültekin amidst the wreckage. Despite the swiftness of this initial aid, his condition remained critical. He was transported to a private hospital, where medical staff spent 1.5 hours in an intensive effort to save his life. It was a period of desperate, concentrated care, but the trauma to his system proved insurmountable. Hasan Şengüloğlu, the AK Party Düzce Provincial President, later confirmed the tragic outcome, noting that despite the best efforts of the medical teams, Gültekin could not be saved.
A doctor who happened to be passing by the scene stopped to provide urgent medical intervention, attempting to stabilize Gültekin amidst the wreckage.
Beyond the clinical details of his passing, Gültekin was remembered for his active involvement in the field. His death has left a void in the leadership of Üsküdar, prompting an outpouring of condolences from the highest levels of the AK Party. Ömer Çelik, the Deputy Chairman of the AK Party, sent a message of condolence, underscoring the impact of the loss on the community. As Hasan Şengüloğlu stated, the priority remains with the mourning of a colleague and the acknowledgment of a life dedicated to the service of the party and the public.