A member of the South African team that rescued an 80-year-old woman, stuck in the rubble for eight days after the Turkey earthquake, was found dead in his house in KwaZulu-Natal yesterday morning.

Paul Herbst (40), the director of Medi Response KZN was well known among the international rescue community. He formed part of the team, handpicked by Gift of the Givers, who travelled to Turkey to search for survivors after a devastating earthquake hit the country at the beginning of February. The team landed back in South Africa on Saturday.

Herbst, who started out as a reservist with Umhlali SAPS before venturing into the medical field, was a familiar face in the KZN North Coast community, many of whose lives he had saved.

In a statement, Medi Response KZN say they are deeply saddened while also extending condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.

“Paul was a well-respected and dedicated leader in the field of emergency medical services. His passion for helping others was evident in the work he did every day, and he was known for his unwavering commitment to providing care to those in need.”

KwaDukuza lifeguard superintendent Bongani Xulu says the news comes as a shock, as they still had plans to meet yesterday.

“He was a big brother to me, and I am shattered beyond words,” Xulu says.

Xulu, who grew up in Salt Rock, knew Herbst from a young age and the duo formed a friendship spanning more than 20 years.

“I wish comfort for his family during this terrible time,” says Xulu.

A friend and former medical field colleague, Marc Lagane says Herbst was wholly committed to his purpose, that of helping others in need.

“This was evident in his actions. His ability to keep going was unparalleled and he pulled out all the stops, all the time, to ensure the best outcome for those in need,” Lagane says.

Lagane and Herbst worked together at the Ballito fire department around 1999.

Herbst is also fondly remembered by founder of the Tongaat-based Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Nazir Sadack, who had known him for close to eight years.

“He truly was passionate about search and rescue and always willing to help out wherever needed, at whatever time of day,” Sadack says.

CERT, founded in 2015, serves as a community-driven search and rescue and first response initiative, made up of mostly volunteers. Herbst was instrumental in helping CERT members become equipped with the necessary medical skills and training needed when responding to emergencies.

“His death is a huge loss to the international rescue community as well. He has been instrumental in rescues both locally and abroad,” Sadack says.

Herbst, other members of the Medi Response KZN team and SAPS search and rescue, helped rescue two trapped people at different locations in Turkey.

He was also involved in rescue operations in Mozambique during the 2020 floods.

A friend and Umhlali K9 policeman, Clinton Odayar, says he is absolutely saddened by the loss.

“He was a person who gave his best to save lives. Paul introduced me to search and rescue and I worked closely with him, witnessing the passion and skill he had.”

Odayar says Herbst also had a passion for dog handling, a skill that was developed with his help when he was a reservist at the Umhlali SAPS K9 Unit.

“My heart goes out to the family he has left behind. May they have the strength to deal with this tragic loss as we, the North Coast, stand beside them in mourning the loss of a hero.”

Herbst is survived by his wife Linda and their son.