[AUDIO] Krugersdorp man (78) slips from cliff in the Cape

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) was dispatched to the scene after he fell while on a hiking trail.

May 8, 2015

Jacobus Myburgh 2 minutes read

A 78-year-old Krugersdorp man is in a stable condition in the Life Knysna Private Hospital after he sustained serious injuries while on holiday in the Western Cape.

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) was called out to assist an injured Jan Vorster, an avid nature lover, who slipped off a cliff while walking along the Robberg Nature Reserve Hiking trail in Plettenberg Bay.

An EMS/AMS Skymed helicopter was dispatched to assist a 78-year-old man from Krugersdorp after he fell and sustained serious injuries while on holiday in the Western Cape. Photo: Steph Le Roux

“Luckily he was not alone as two strollers staying at the same caravan park as us was with him when the accident happened,” his wife Martie said.

Deon Truter, NSRI Plettenberg Bay station commander said they launched their sea rescue craft to approach Vorster from the sea side while NSRI rescuers as well as Med-Life ambulance services responded by road to the Robberg Parking area to hike to the scene.

Martie said the NSRI found her husband with a head injury, eight fractured ribs and a broken collar bone which caused Jan to experience laboured breathing.

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Truter said while medical treatment by paramedics was conducted a decision was taken to request support from the EMS/AMS Skymed helicopter rather than to risk further compromise to the patient by transporting him by sea or by hiking him on a stretcher to the Robberg Parking area.

The Western Cape Government Health EMS dispatched the Skymed helicopter.

“The patient was airlifted to the Robberg Nature Reserve car park by the Skymed helicopter and transferred into a waiting Med-Life ambulance. The patient has been transported to hospital in a stable condition for further treatment and he is expected to make a full recovery,” Truter said.

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Martie said her husband is currently in the Intensive Care Unit where he is experiencing a lot of pain, but he is in a stable condition and not in any danger.

“The medical personal is trying all they can to get the fluid from his lungs as a lung plura is torn due to the fractured ribs. This also developed bleeding which needs to be drained.”

She said this is the end of their holiday in Plettenberg Bay, which would have ended on 20 May.

“Unfortunately accidents like these happen and can’t be prevented. I will be staying at my sister-in-law, who lives in the area.”

The caravan and the vehicle the couple arrived with, will be collected by friends from Gauteng.

“I am just so grateful for everyone’s assistance. The NSRI was really amazing and I am also glad that my husband was accompanied by the strollers we met at the caravan park.”