The NSRI along with various emergency services helped get an injured hiker from where she fell, to the safety of a hospital.
Oyster Bay, South Africa (28 June 2024) – After a harrowing fall, a tourist was rescued thanks to the help of multiple rescue teams who worked to get to where she was on the Storms River trail. The NSRI shared the rescue story now that the woman has recovered and thankfully been discharged from the hospital.
Lodewyk van Rensburg the NSRI Oyster Bay station commander shared that the incident took place on Friday, 21 June, at 13h06. The NSRI Storms River and NSRI Oyster Bay duty crews were activated following reports from SA National Parks (SANPark) Tsitsikamma rangers of a lady injured at the waterfall, on the Storms River trail.
SANPark Tsitsikamma rangers, NSRI Storms River crew and NSRI Oyster Bay crew responded. Relay ambulance services were activated, and EC Government Health EMS were alerted.
“Concerns were raised when bystanders on the scene reported that the incident was close to the shoreline with an incoming Spring tide close to high tide.
NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) investigated the availability of the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter with EMS Metro Control. It was confirmed that the rescue helicopter would shortly be available and was in the Knysna area at the time.
On arrival on the scene SANPark Tsitsikamma rangers and NSRI Storms River crew assessed the 55 year old Italian female tourist finding her to be in a serious condition following what appears to have been injuries sustained when the lady slipped and fell while on the hiking trail. They were joined on the scene by NSRI Oyster Bay crew.
Her husband had gone to the Storms River car park and then he drove to the SANParks main gate to raise the alarm.
Bystander Good Samaritans stayed with the patient until rescue resources had arrived on the scene. They are commended for their assistance.
With ongoing medical treatment continuing the scene the patient was stabilised. EMS Metro Control dispatched the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter. An LZ (landing zone) was established at the car park. The husband had been located and he was brought to the landing zone area.
On the helicopter arriving on the scene a paramedic was hoisted down to the scene, with additional medical equipment, where the patient, in a stable condition, was secured into a specialised scoop stretcher and, accompanied by the paramedic, the patient was hoisted to the side of the rescue helicopter and she was airlifted to the landing zone.
In a serious but stable condition the patient was transported to a hospital in Knysna by the Relay ambulance.”
Now, a week later, the tourist has thankfully recovered sufficiently to be discharged and will be heading home. The NSRI commends the swift response and assistance of all services involved. Thanks to them, a scary situation was swiftly dealt with and a family reunited!
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