German tourist crashes into dune while paragliding in Sedgefield

National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Wilderness rescued a German tourist (50) who sustained serious injuries when he apparently collided into a rocky sand dune at Gericke’s Point in Sedgefield while paragliding.

According to NSRI Wilderness station commander Mike Vonk, eyewitnesses alerted them of the incident at 17:08 yesterday.

“NSRI EOC [Emergency Operations Centre] and ARCC [Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre] were alerted while NSRI Wilderness duty crew, our NSRI rescue vehicle, NSRI lifeguards, [the] WC Government Health EMS rescue squad and EMS rescue paramedics, a metro rescue all-terrain vehicle, Knysna Fire and Rescue Services and ER24 ambulance services were activated,” Vonk says.

The incident had occurred on terrain that could not be reached by vehicle, and rescuers and equipment were transported along the beach by an NSRI all-terrain rescue vehicle to as close to the scene as possible.

The rescue team then hiked the rest of the way on rocky terrain – and at the peak of high tide – while additional responding rescue resources were collected and ferried to the nearest landmark, from where it was carried on foot to join in the rescue operation. As more rescue resources arrived, a metro rescue all-terrain vehicle ferried additional personnel, resources and equipment.

“The first rescue team arriving at the accident scene initiated medical care to the male paraglider.

“The patient was stabilised on the scene by paramedics before being secured into a Stokes basket stretcher and hiked, in the care of paramedics, assisted by rescue personnel and members of the public who were lending a hand, to where rescue vehicles were standing by,” explains Vonk.

“The patient was transported by a metro rescue all-terrain vehicle along the beach to the Swartvlei Beach parking area. He was transported to hospital in a serious but stable condition by ER24 ambulance.”

Vonk commends all emergency services involved for their swift response and the co-operation in this rescue operation, which was made difficult by the remote location and by the terrain they faced. “The public members who assisted are commended for their willingness assisting and lending a hand,” he adds.

“The patient remains in the care of doctors and nurses in hospital in a stable condition. Care and thoughts are with the family and friends of the injured paraglider.”