German tourist recovering in hospital after paraglider accident

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said a 50-year-old German tourist is recovering in hospital after he collided into a rocky sand dune while paragliding.

GERMAN TOURIST RECOVERING AFTER PARAGLIDER ACCIDENT

NSRI Wilderness station commander Mike Vonk said the accident happened on Monday afternoon at around 17:08.

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“Rescue resources responded, and on arrival at Swartvlei Beach, our NSRI all-terrain rescue vehicle was utilised to transport rescuers and equipment closer to the scene along the beach.”

THE RESCUE TEAM HAD TO HIKE AND FACE A ROCKY TERRAIN

Vonk said reaching as far as the rescue team could go by vehicle until prevented from proceeding any further due to rocky terrain and the peak of high tide, the rescue party then hiked to the casualty while additional responding rescue resources were collected and ferried to the nearest landmark (also to hike) to join in the rescue operation.

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THE 50-YEAR-OLD GERMAN TOURIST COLLIDED WITH A ROCKY SAND DUNE

“The first rescue team arriving at the accident scene, on rocky terrain, initiated medical care to a male paraglider, age 50, a tourist from Germany. He had sustained serious injuries after, it appears, he collided into a rocky sand dune while paragliding.”

He furthermore said the man was stabilised on the scene by paramedics before being secured into a Stokes basket stretcher and hiked, in the care of paramedics, assisted by rescue personnel and by public members (who were lending a hand) to where rescue vehicles were standing by.

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THE MAN WAS STABILISED ON THE SCENE

“The patient was transported to hospital in a serious but stable condition by ER24 ambulance.

“All emergency services involved are commended for the swift response and the cooperation in this rescue operation. The remote location and the terrain we faced made the operation difficult.”

The public members who assisted were also commended for their willingness to assist and lend a hand.

THE PUBLIC WERE COMMENDED FOR THEIR WILLINGNESS TO LEND A HAND

Vonk said the man remains in the hospital’s care with doctors and nurses in stable condition.

“Care and thoughts are with the family and friends of the injured paraglider.”

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