The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has confirmed that the SANDF member who sustained head injuries while practicing for the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) expo at the Waterkloof air force base on Thursday, is still alive despite unofficial rumours doing the rounds that he has died.

SANDF communications head Siphiwe Dlamini said the SANDF is pleading with members of the public and uniform members alike to respect and allow the injured member and his family the privacy they deserve during this difficult time.

Dlamini said the member was performing an aerobics manoeuvre for the expo currently underway at the venue when he fell, seemingly from a plane overhead.

“After the unfortunate incident, the Gauteng Emergency Medical Service (GEMS) paramedic, in collaboration with the South African Military Health Services (SAHMS) medical team, stabilised the injured member, who was then flown in a South African Air Force Oryx helicopter to a hospital in Pretoria where he underwent further medical procedures.

“He is alive and has been stabilised but remains in a critical condition,” he said.

The AAD expo is Africa’s only aerospace and defence trade exhibition and an air show and took place this weekend.