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SEDGEFIELD NEWS - A man was seriously injured in a paragliding accident in Sedgefield yesterday afternoon, and is recovering in hospital according to reports from the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI).
NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon stated that at 17:08 yesterday, Monday 29 January, crews at NSRI Wilderness were alerted to reports of a paraglider accident at Gericke’s Point in Sedgefield.
"NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) and ARCC (Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre) were alerted while NSRI Wilderness duty crew, our NSRI rescue vehicle, NSRI lifeguards, WC Government Health EMS rescue squad and EMS rescue paramedics, a Metro Rescue all terrain vehicle, Knysna Fire and Rescue Services and ER24 ambulance services were activated," Lambinon said.
Upon arrival at Swartvlei Beach the NSRI dispatched their all-terrain rescue vehicle to transport rescuers and equipment closer to the scene along the beach.
More rescue resources arrived on scene thereafter, including a WC Metro Rescue all-terrain vehicle which ferried additional personnel, resources and equipment.
"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 (to also hike) to join in the rescue operation," Lambinon continued.
When the first rescue team arrived on the scene they initiated medical care to a male paraglider, 50, who is a tourist from Germany.
He had sustained serious injuries after it appears he collided into a rocky sand dune while paragliding.
"The patient 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."
The man was then transported along the beach by the WC Metro Rescue all-terrain vehicle to the Swartvlei Beach parking area.
He was then 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 (made difficult by the remote location and by the terrain we faced)," Lambinon said.
"The public members who assisted are commended for their willingness assisting and lending a hand. The patient remains in the care of doctors and nurses in hospital in a stable condition. Care and thoughts are with the family and friends of the injured paraglider."
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