BURGERSFORT – Pensioner Maria Shai (82) died on Tuesday in the Letaba Hospital after being rescued on Monday by the Mopani TRRIC Unit (Tactical Rescue and Rapid Intervention Crew).
Shai who was missing from her home in Maromofasi Village, for nearly 72 hours, was found by search and rescue workers after going missing on Friday.
“Her family reported the incident late on Saturday. When an initial search was unsuccessful, the SAPS Search and Rescue Unit in Mopani was called to the scene and the TRRIC in Mopani was requested to assist,” said Adele van der Linde, spokesman for the department.
After an extended search, the pensioner was spotted Monday on the slope of a steep embankment, down which she had fallen, not far from her home.
“The rescuers continued unabated, and were amazed to find her alive but in critical condition, after having been exposed to the elements. She was severely dehydrated and hypoglycaemic. She also suffered a fractured left forearm and left ankle,” said Van der Linde.
She was stabilised on the scene before being transported to Letaba Hospital.
“The department herewith hails the heroic, selfless and undying efforts of the rescue team, paramedics, SAPS and the fighting spirit of Maria Shai. They usually have the horrific task of recovering the corpses of people who had drowned or been attacked by animals such as crocodiles, who experienced severe falls, adverse weather conditions, road accidents or other freak accidents,” concluded van der Linde.
