A Ballito family is urging holidaymakers to recognise the signs of altitude sickness after their daughter fell critically ill at Lesotho’s Afriski Mountain Resort.

The North Coast Courier reports that what began as an exciting family holiday turned into a medical emergency when 19-year-old Kendra Hertz developed severe altitude sickness on June 24 shortly after arriving at the resort, which sits about 3 050m above sea level.

Her mother, Milly, said Kendra initially became dizzy before her condition rapidly deteriorated.

“I never imagined our family holiday at Afriski would end like this,” she said in a TikTok video documenting the ordeal.

Despite receiving oxygen and intravenous fluids, Kendra fainted 12 times and became increasingly confused.

“We had to get her down to lower ground immediately,” said Milly.

Rapid deterioration

Kendra has since made a full recovery and hopes sharing her experience will help others.

“I never imagined altitude sickness could become this serious. Like many people, I knew the resort was high above sea level, but I didn’t realise how much the altitude could affect someone who lives at the coast,” she said.

Kendra, a healthy young adult with no underlying medical conditions, said what began as dizziness quickly became terrifying.

“It was one of the most frightening experiences of my life, and although my experience was not the norm, it showed me how quickly altitude sickness can become dangerous if symptoms worsen,” she said.

Raising awareness

Kendra said her aim was not to criticise the resort, praising the medical team who treated her.

“I am grateful that medical assistance was available when I needed it. My goal is simply to raise awareness.”

Afriski is situated at high altitude, with surrounding ski slopes reaching 3 220m. At these elevations, reduced oxygen levels increase the risk of acute mountain sickness, particularly among visitors who ascend rapidly without time to acclimatise.

Kendra hopes her experience encourages travellers to recognise warning signs such as persistent dizziness, headaches, nausea, confusion and fainting, and to seek medical attention early.

“If sharing what happened to me encourages even one family to prepare better, recognise symptoms sooner or seek help earlier, then something positive will have come from an experience I never want anyone else to go through.”

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