Hiker critically injured in 18m fall in Sedgefield

THE NSRI has hailed the Good Samaritans who came to the rescue of a fellow hiker who was critically injured when he fell between 15 and 18 meters at Gericke's Point, Sedgefield.

Having witnessed the fall on Saturday, the hikers rendered first aid to the unresponsive and seriously injured adult man while raising the alarm.

NSRI Wilderness duty coxswain Ian Gerber said the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter was activated by EMS Metro control.

“The patient was stabilised by paramedics and secured into a Stokes basket stretcher and carried about 200 meters to an accessible area for the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter. The bystander Good Samaritans are commended for rendering assistance to the casualty and for swiftly raising the alarm.”

In another rescue, Gerber said the NSRI Wilderness duty crew was activated following a request for assistance from a local mother reporting her 2 children and their grandfather being trapped by the Spring high tide on rocks at Flat Rock, Wilderness.

“They had been fishing on Flat Rock when the incoming Spring high tide cut them off from mainland and the alarm was raised. Our NSRI rescue vehicle, NSRI rescue swimmers and George Fire and Rescue Services responded.”

 Armed with extra life-jackets and rope, two NSRI rescue swimmers were dispatched to wade and swim through the surf zone to the rock.

“The 3 casualties, a grandfather aged 72 and the 2 boys, ages 10 and 15, were safe on the rock, in good spirits, with their fishing gear, but unable to get back to the shore through the surf. Our NSRI rescue swimmers secured the 3 casualties into life-jackets and a rope extrication system was rigged.”

They were safely brought to the shore in the care of the NSRI rescue swimmers without incident. 

Cape Times