NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon
Staff Writer
A MOTORIST, believed to be 20 years old, was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition after her car plunged off a cliff and landed in the sea at Smitswinkel Bay, between Simon’s Town and Cape Point yesterday.
NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon said the car was partially submerged in the water.
“Rescue resources arriving on the road side were not able to gain access to the vehicle, which was approximately 150m down a cliff, on the shoreline and partially submerged in the sea due to the barely accessible terrain.
“A Police Sea Borderline Patrol boat, that arrived first, was able to deploy a police officer on to the shore and he located one female in a critical condition at the vehicle and it was confirmed that she was the sole occupant,” Lambinon said.
“Skymed rescue helicopter arrived, a rescue paramedic was deployed from the helicopter and he joined the police officer in rendering emergency medical treatment to the woman.”
A sea rescue craft arrived and two NSRI rescue swimmers swam ashore to assist the EMS rescue paramedic and the police diver in treating the patient, Lambinon said.
It was unclear what had caused the car to go over the cliff, he said.
“Once stabilised, the patient was airlifted aboard the Skymed rescue helicopter to the roadway, where paramedics continued medical treatment.
“Once stabilised, but in a serious condition, the patient – believed to be a 20-year-old local – was airlifted aboard the EMS/AMS Skymed helicopter to hospital,” said Lambinon.