KLOOF businessman, Bruce Galloway, who made headlines across KwaZulu-Natal last week after his abduction, underwent spinal surgery on Monday morning.
Rescuetech workers carried an emotional Galloway out of the Kloof Gorge after rescuing him from a ledge below the viewing site last Thursday.
His desperate cries for help were heard by two local teenagers, Bradley Yeo and Keenan Perry. According to reports, they were sitting at the viewing site on Bridle Road overlooking the Kloof Gorge when they heard a faint cry for help.
At first they thought it was a voice coming from across the gorge but when they heard the call again they realised it was coming from a cliff ledge 30 meters below the viewing site in Bridle Road overlooking Krantzkloof Nature Reserve.
Galloway shouted to them to please call his wife to let her know that he was okay. The 19-year-old youngsters didn’t have a cellphone but managed to alert documentary film-maker Jordan Persson, who was nearby.
They contacted the family and search and rescue units from SAPS and Rescuetech. Paramedics had to make their way 150 metres down the cliff to reach Galloway.
Vanessa Jackson, ER24 crisis communicator, said Galloway sustained multiple injuries, including scrapes and abrasions, facial injuries and possible dehydration.
“He wanted to try to walk himself out along with the rescue teams, but a short distance into his rescue he could no longer manage and all personnel carried him out using a rescue stretcher,” said Jackson.
Galloway was taken to Hillcrest Private Hospital.
According to his wife, Les, last Tuesday and Wednesday had been an emotional roller coaster, but she is thankful that her husband is okay.
“Bruce sustained serious injuries and is in ICU. He broke his back and had to undergo an operation. He also broke several ribs and punctured his lungs,” said Les.
She said that they don’t really know what happened to her husband, but believed that his determination not to cooperate with his abductors could have frustrated them and possibly led them to throw him over the edge of the cliff at the viewing site.
Lt Justice Manqele, spokesman for Pinetown SAPS, said the SAPS have not taken Galloway’s statement yet and have agreed to wait until after his surgery.
Galloway was abducted from his driveway three days ago as he was leaving for work at 3.30am on Tuesday 23 July. His wallet, containing his bank cards, cellphone and iPad had been left behind and his glasses were found on the ground near the intercom.
Bruce was a shareholder at three Spar supermarkets, one based in Inanda, north of Durban and two in the Eastern Cape, for the past five years. He is also a chartered accountant and a former sugar cane farmer.
Managing director of Spar KZN, Rob Phillipson said a combined R50 000 reward from Spar and the family that was offered for information which could help locate Galloway would be handed over to the two youngsters who found Galloway last Thursday.
Private investigator, Brad Nathanson said he would only comment on the abduction only after Galloway makes his statement to the police.
“Obviously I have my own thoughts on the matter based on facts and findings but I cannot reveal these at this time,” said Nathanson.
Galloway is expected to give his statement to the police in a few days.
